The 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 of the nationâs top religion writers offer insights on what they found surprising â and not surprising â in the Pew Research Centerâs massive Religious Landscape Study.
Read More(ANALYSIS) This fertility issue has both political and religious (#DUH) implications.
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 â something fueled by immigration, secularization and the beliefs of Gen Z.
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 â for his health, for his recovery and for his return among them.
Read MoreAn original aspect of âBelieveâ is Douthatâs 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). Thatâs 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 âhealth of the Holy Father.â
Read MorePrayers filled St. Peterâs Basilica Sunday as Archbishop Rino Fisichella delivered Pope Francisâ prepared homily to thousands of permanent deacons gathered for a special jubilee Mass, while the pontiff remains hospitalized with pneumonia.
Read MoreLast year, a handful of Salesian nuns worked to keep a small school and religious center in Khartoum open. As siege-like conditions worsened, they coordinated with Sudanese officials for an escape. An investigation by Religion Unplugged has revealed new details about the operation that were previously undisclosed.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Easily the biggest religious controversy at this yearâs Academy Awards is with the movie âConclave.â The film, based on the best-selling novel by Robert Harris and starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini and John Lithgow, follows a cardinal named Lawrence whoâs been tasked with running the selection of a new pope. But Lawrenceâs faith is challenged when he uncovers secrets at the Vatican.
Read More(ANALYSIS) With the transgender policies among President Trumpâs blizzard of new executive orders, further explanation is needed on the cultural reality of deep-seated religious concepts. In particular, the resolutely âbinaryâ Bible depicts humans as either male or female and underlies 2,000 years of Jewish and Christian teaching. Similarly with the Quran and Muslims. How should that heritage affect secular society and policy?
Read More(ANALYSIS) The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether Oklahoma can open St. Isidore: an online Roman Catholic charter school named after the patron saint of the internet. If affirmed, the school would be the nationâs first faith-based charter â a sea change in education law, expanding the boundaries of government aid to faith-based schools.
Read MoreUnder normal conditions, a pope releasing a highly personal memoir about his life would create quite a few headlines. However, that doesnât seem to be the case with âLife: My Story Through History,â the new autobiography from Pope Francis, co-written with Carlo Musso, founder of the Italian publishing company Libreria Pienogiorno. Thatâs strange, since this is being hailed as the first memoir from a sitting pope.
Read MoreJudging by the television audience, Americans certainly care about the Super Bowl. Few, however, think God shares their concern. Last yearâs Super Bowl drew more than 123.7 million U.S. viewers, the largest TV viewership in history. Yet, most U.S. adults donât believe God cares who wins the big game or determines the the winner, according to a new study.
Read MoreIn an era of secularism, where discussions often center around the decline of religious belief, going on a pilgrimage may seem outdated. However, the reality is quite the opposite. The appeal of religious tourism attracts people of all ages. As many make plans for the coming summer, this type of tourism has become big business in a post-pandemic world.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Luce, the anime-inspired official mascot for the Catholic Churchâs 2025 Jubilee, whose name means âlightâ in Italian, has been getting a lot of attention on social media. Some people love the cartoon and find her âcute,â but a few others consider her âunsuitableâ and even ârepugnant.â
Read More(REVIEW) The Baroque painter Francisco de ZurbarĂĄn is celebrated today as one of the greatest masters of the Spanish Golden Age. His many paintings of friars, nuns and saints for the churches and religious orders earned him the sobriquet âpainter of monks.â A favorite subject was Saint Francis of Assisi and nearly 50 paintings of the 13th-century friar by ZurbarĂĄn or his assistants are known to have survived.
Read MoreIn a day punctuated by prayer and references to God, Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday as the 47th president of the United States. âI was saved by God to make America great again,â Trump said in his inaugural speech, alluding to the failed assassination attempt against him last July during a Pennsylvania rally.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Italy expects 35 million pilgrims to visit Rome during the Catholic Churchâs current âHoly Yearâ or âJubileeâ that runs through January 6, 2026. In modern times, Holy Years usually occur in 25-year intervals, though Pope Francis called an âextraordinaryâ one in 2015 and has announced a 2033 Jubilee to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the redemption won in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
Read MoreIn one Kenyan church, most of the congregants were deaf, as were the choristers and choirmaster. The singing was muted â only lips moved, while bodies swayed with swan-like grace â while hands waved to the delightful rhythm of the drum beats. Even the minister, the Rev. George Obonyo, is deaf.
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