Political and religious leaders from around the world offered condolences and tributes following the death of Pope Francis on Monday. The White House’s official X account posted two photos of the pope, one with President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, and the other with Vice President J.D. Vance, with a caption that read: “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis.”
Read MorePope Francis — the first pontiff from the Americas, who clashed with traditional Catholics but was hailed as a reformer by progressives — died on Monday, a day after Easter, at age 88. The pope had been plagued by a series of health issues in recent years. Hours after his death was announced, the Vatican said Francis died from a stroke that put him into a coma and led to heart failure.
Read More(ANALYSIS) I was not planning on writing about Francis this morning or tomorrow. Instead, I was planning on writing about the signs pointing to what I believe is the biggest religion story in Christianity around the world.
Read More(OPINION) I was struck by how similar an Orthodox monk and Baptist preacher seemed, although they live on opposite sides of the planet, speak different languages and belong to vastly different traditions. They’re both holy men who’ve stayed faithful to their calling even as the world went off and left them, or maybe never much recognized them to begin with.
Read MoreIncreasing numbers of U.K.-based churches and cathedrals are turning environmental action within their locality into a force for change. There are now 8,200 eco-churches across all Christian denominations within the United Kingdom, and the number is growing. These churches have opened up green spaces, created new gardens and improved the environmental credentials of their buildings.
Read More(REVIEW) In an age ruled by smartphones, “Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality” arrives as a timely and stirring documentary that invites viewers to pause, reflect and reconnect — with others, with the world and with something greater than themselves. This 90-minute documentary recounts the story of Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old computer whiz who died of leukemia in 2006 and now set to be canonized a saint.
Read MoreOn the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, our columnist reflects on how covering the biggest story of his life changed him.
Read MoreFor millions of Chronicles of Narnia fans, the term “Stone Table” represents a series of events that explicitly defined the Christology that C.S. Lewis placed at the heart of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” If news consumers want to understand the importance of reports about superstar Meryl Streep providing the voice of Aslan, then these dramatic Narnia moments are a good place to start. Some of these recent headlines provided a hook for this week’s “Crossroads” podcast.
Read MoreTowering on top of one of the many hills that overlook Lodwar, is a gigantic statue of Jesus Christ with His hands spread apart. It is a mirror image of the iconic Christ The Redeemer sculpture that defines Rio de Jenairo. The statue’s appeal goes beyond its architectural dimensions and spiritual importance. It has also emerged as a charming tourist magnet and iconic local landmark.
Read More(ANALYSIS) For more than 50 years ABC — with very few exceptions — has offered “The Ten Commandments” as the network's featured film for Holy Week. In fact, nothing says “Easter” like a showdown between Moses, the 13th century BCE Hebrew prophet, and the pharaoh Ramses the Great and the gods of Egypt.
Read More(ANALYSIS) People might disagree whether Jesus is King, but he certainly is ruling the box office this Easter season. America loves movies and it loves Jesus. As a result, it’s s safe to say both will be with us for a very long time. You might say it’s Jesus’ world, we’re just living in it. That’s true to Christians at all times. But for now it’s also true when it comes to dominating the U.S. box office.
Read More(OPINION) There are many right ways to observe Holy Week and to walk with Jesus. I invite you to be intentional and make a plan for how you will observe the rest of Holy Week, each and every day.
Read More(ANALYSIS) In January 2025, Trump’s administration halted visa processing for refugees. All refugee travel to the U.S. was to be canceled. This included the travel of nearly 1,660 Afghans cleared to resettle in America — including many women and girls who were facing serious risk upon return.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Now we are in the phase of cellphones, screen time and socialization. The data about the social lives of high school students is incredibly bleak and honestly makes me very worried for the next generation. Let me show you what I mean by generating a handful of graphs from this great dataset called Monitoring the Future.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Viṣṇuśarman’s “Pañcatantra” is a striking collection of animal fables from perhaps around 300 C.E. in which birds, lions and others speak and reason as humans do. The stories are parables that teach how to negotiate sometimes brave, sometimes cruel, sometimes clever and sometimes naïve friends and enemies alike.
Read MoreFor Uganda’s Christians, the Way of the Cross is more than a ritual — it is a powerful affirmation of faith, an expression of gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice and a moment of deep collective introspection. By uniting believers across denominations and walks of life, the procession continues to embody the core message of Easter: In Christ, there is redemption, unity and the promise of eternal life.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Nearly 40% of Black workers feel comfortable talking about their faith with people at work, the highest of any U.S. racial group, our two recent studies found. But they also risk facing religious discrimination.
Read More(ANALYSIS) It’s a straightforward part of the Easter story: The Roman governor Pontius Pilate had Jesus of Nazareth killed by his soldiers. But over the past 2,000 years, it was common for some Christians to deem Pilate almost blameless for Jesus’ death and treat Jews as responsible — a belief that has shaped the global history of antisemitism.
Read More(ANALYSIS) On April 13, a Russian ballistic missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy resulted in at least 30 people killed and over 80 wounded. According to officials, the missiles struck the heart of the city in the early hours as people gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday, the first day of the Christian Holy Week.
Read MoreAn Easter Pageant in Arizona is now one of the world’s largest. The event, which runs for nine days before Easter Sunday, draws crowds of 10,000 each night and has a cast of 500. If you don’t live in the area — or if you’re not connected to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly called the Mormon Church — the Mesa Easter Pageant, an 87-year-old festival, is likely not on your radar.
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