(EXPLAINER) You’ve seen the movie “Conclave” — but what does a real one look like. A papal conclave is one of the most unique and secretive processes in the world, bringing together cardinals who gather under intense pressure to choose a new pope. Unlike the film, the tradition is meant to ensure the election is conducted in an atmosphere of prayer and reflection.
Read MoreThe Holy See Press Office releases Pope Francis' Angelus address as he continues his recovery at Gemelli Hospital. In his message, the pope expresses gratitude for prayers and medical care while urging continued prayers for peace. Reflecting on the day's Gospel reading, he emphasized the importance of seeing others with charity and always speaking with goodness.
Read MoreSome church planters think the northwestern United States is fertile ground for reaching those people who are searching. And with states like Idaho growing rapidly, church planters see even more opportunity.
Read More(ANALYSIS) My interest was piqued by a single question in the NSRL: “Would you perform the wedding of a same-sex couple if your religious group allowed it?” The reason I like it so much is because it doesn’t ask the respondent to describe the official position of their denomination; it asks the respondent about their personal position on the issue.
Read More(REVIEW) The show impressively manages the difficult task of being a sword-and-sandals adventure fantasy that balances the needs of a faith-based and action-adventure audience. The story of David and Israel’s relationship with God is central, and the story creates a world that feels grounded, while still existing among giants and magic as relayed in the Hebrew Bible. The action is good while keeping itself PG-13, and the story is exciting while keeping it faithful to the Biblical themes.
Read More(ANALYSIS) This fertility issue has both political and religious (#DUH) implications.
Read More(ANALYSIS) While many ask if Foxworthy does "Christian comedy," he said he never considered that career path, since “if I do that, the only people I talk to are Christians.” However, he added: “I do think humor is one of the attributes of God, and I don't know that a lot of people are freed up to see God in that light.”
Read MoreAs the U.S. continues to evolve religiously, the Pew study underscores the complex and shifting nature of religious belief and practice in America. While Christianity remains the dominant faith, trends suggest that the future may hold further diversification — something fueled by immigration, secularization and the beliefs of Gen Z.
Read More(REVIEW) When the characters discover the monkey can kill people, they start trying to figure out how it works, to discover its rules so they can play the game and win. But the monkey doesn’t have rules. The characters who cause the suffering in this movie are the ones who try to impose order and meaning on these meaningless death. And it’s when characters accept death and its pointless randomness that the carnage stops and reconciliation occurs.
Read MoreBeverly Heights Presbyterian Church began its effort to disaffiliate from the EPC in 2023 with a congregational meeting. It held its final vote on Jan. 26, with 88% of members voting in favor of disaffiliation. However, the church had to wait until the February presbytery meeting to see if the EPC would acknowledge its removal.
Read MoreIn the same square where, on his first day as pope, he blessed the people and asked for their blessing, on Monday that same people gathered to pray for their shepherd, Pope Francis — for his health, for his recovery and for his return among them.
Read MoreThe beheaded bodies of 70 Christians were found in a Protestant church in North Kivu Province in the Congo around Feb. 15, several religious freedom advocates said, blaming the extremist Allied Democratic Forces. The ADF is accused of approaching homes in Mayba, in the Lumbero territory, beginning Feb. 12 and capturing as many as 100 Christians through Feb. 15.
Read More(ANALYSIS) People want to know where the Cooperative Baptists are, or the Nazarenes, or the Wesleyans, or the Unitarian Universalists. I’ve done this enough to know that everyone wants to see their own tradition included in analysis. Let me pull back the curtain just a bit on why my favorite response has become, “I’m data limited.”
Read More(PHOTO EASSY) On Sunday, Cambodians and Americans gathered under tents to worship together in “The Eyes of God.” That’s a literal translation of the Khmer words Preah Netr Preah, a district in western Cambodia.
Read MoreAn original aspect of “Believe” is Douthat’s suggestions about how to pick a path among so many faith options. He proposes that quests focus on tried-and-true religions that attract the most adherents, in order of size, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism. (Judaism, far smaller, broadly fits the Christian outlook). That’s a notably open-minded approach coming from Zondervan, an evangelical publisher.
Read MoreThe Vatican announced an evening rosary for the Holy Father's health, starting Monday, in St. Peter's Square. The Holy See press office released a statement announcing that starting this evening, cardinals residing in Rome will gather in St. Peter's Square to recite the rosary for the “health of the Holy Father.”
Read MoreWhen Varsha and Shein first discovered rap, they were teenagers inspired by mainstream artists like India artists Honey Singh and Raftaar. Their classmates loved their performances of secular rap. As daughters of a pastor, they soon felt a calling to use their musical talents differently. "In 2012, our rap journey started,” Shein said. “We performed at school events, local meetings and in churches, and people loved it.”
Read More(ANALYSIS) If Musk is anything, it’s audience-savvy. To get to the position he now finds himself in, aligning with Christian values wasn’t just wise, it was necessary. With the MAGA base increasingly rallying against progressive secularism, Musk’s newfound faith acts as a bridge to this vital demographic. Cynical? Absolutely. But the wealthiest man in the world didn’t build his empire by ignoring optics.
Read MorePrayers filled St. Peter’s Basilica Sunday as Archbishop Rino Fisichella delivered Pope Francis’ prepared homily to thousands of permanent deacons gathered for a special jubilee Mass, while the pontiff remains hospitalized with pneumonia.
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