Religion News

Pope celebrates first 'green Mass' using new rite in sign of strong ecological focus

ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV celebrated on Wednesday what has been dubbed the first “green” papal Mass, using a new set of prayers imploring care for God’s creation in a sign he intends to emphasize environmental stewardship and climate justice for the w

Jul 9, 2025 2:01 AM Read more >

A church bombing leads Syria's Christians to consider leaving as foreign fighters remain

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The day after last month's deadly suicide attack on a church outside Syria's capital, hundreds of Christians marched in Damascus chanting against foreign fighters and calling for them to leave the country.

Jul 8, 2025 10:45 PM Read more >

Newly elected Seventh-day Adventist Church leader reflects on challenges and faith’s healthy living

Erton Köhler, a Brazil-born pastor known for his innovative approach to evangelism, is the newly elected president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church General Conference — and the first to hail from South America.

Jul 8, 2025 5:52 PM Read more >

Catholics in Congo honor an anti-corruption martyr newly beatified by the Vatican

GOMA, Congo (AP) — The remains of a Congolese customs worker who was killed for resisting a bribe and recently beatified by the Vatican were transferred from a public cemetery to a cathedral in Congo’s eastern city of Goma during a special Mass on Tu

Jul 8, 2025 5:49 PM Read more >

Faith-based camps like those hit by Texas floods are rite of passage for many. They're now grieving

Texas’ catastrophic flooding hit faith-based summer camps especially hard, and the heartbreak is sweeping across the country where similar camps mark a rite of passage and a crucial faith experience for millions of children and teens.

Jul 8, 2025 3:57 PM Read more >

Armenian lawmakers brawl as the government cracks down on its political opponents

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — A brawl broke out Tuesday in Armenia's National Assembly involving an opposition lawmaker who later was stripped of his parliamentary immunity and faces prosecution for calling for ousting President Nikol Pashinyan as politica

Jul 8, 2025 12:05 PM Read more >

Militants kill 5 Israeli soldiers in Gaza and Israeli strikes kill 51 Palestinians

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Five Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack in the northern Gaza Strip, Israel's military said Tuesday, while health officials in the Palestinian territory said that 51 people were killed in Israeli strikes.

Jul 8, 2025 11:03 AM Read more >

Pastors who endorse political candidates shouldn't lose tax-exempt status, IRS says in filing

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS says pastors who endorse political candidates from the pulpit should not have to risk losing their tax-exempt status.

Jul 8, 2025 8:31 AM Read more >

Trump and Netanyahu take a victory lap to mark strikes on Iran nuclear facilities

WASHINGTON (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Donald Trump he was nominating the U.S.

Jul 8, 2025 6:28 AM Read more >

Barnard settles lawsuit brought by Jewish students, agreeing not to meet with pro-Palestinian group

NEW YORK (AP) — Barnard College has settled a lawsuit that accused the college of not doing enough to combat antisemitism on campus, agreeing to a litany of demands that include banning masks at protests and refusing to meet or negotiate with a coali

Jul 7, 2025 7:40 PM Read more >