Pope Francis reminds armed forces only to act for defense and always respect international laws VATICAN CITY (AP) — The pontiff reappeared in public for the first time since he was diagnosed with bronchitis on Thursday to celebrate an outdoor Jubilee Mass for the armed forces, police and security personnel. The post Pope Francis reminds armed forces only to act for defense and always respect international laws appeared first on RNS.

Aga Khan’s funeral service held in Portugal ahead of private burial ceremony in Egypt LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The Ismaili religious community said Prince Karim will be laid to rest during a private burial ceremony in Aswan, Egypt, on Sunday. The post Aga Khan’s funeral service held in Portugal ahead of private burial ceremony in Egypt appeared first on RNS.

How a wave of antisemitic attacks roiled Australia and provoked claims of foreign influence WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The attacks in areas where Jewish people live have provoked an outpouring of condemnation — and a fraught and complicated debate about who’s to blame. The post How a wave of antisemitic attacks roiled Australia and provoked claims of foreign influence appeared first on RNS.

Latino evangelical churches gear up to face possible immigration enforcement in churches Under the Trump administration’s new orders, which have thrown out policies that restricted immigration enforcement in sensitive locations such as schools and houses of worship, faith leaders worry about the sanctity of their sacred spaces, and the possibility of immigration raids and arrests. The post Latino evangelical churches gear up to face…

Trump isn’t defending religious communities — he’s waging war on them (RNS) — The Trump administration is already the most harmful to religious freedom in modern American history. The post Trump isn’t defending religious communities — he’s waging war on them appeared first on RNS.

Trump reestablishes White House Faith Office, places Paula White-Cain in charge WASHINGTON (RNS) — As with his first administration, Trump is replacing the existing White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The post Trump reestablishes White House Faith Office, places Paula White-Cain in charge appeared first on RNS.

Five Catholic women who dream of ordination as deacons VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Women cannot be ordained in the Catholic Church, but many feel God is calling them to do more. The post Five Catholic women who dream of ordination as deacons appeared first on RNS.

Wheaton College caught in dustup over alumnus Russell Vought, Project 2025 architect (RNS) — The evangelical college posted, then deleted, a message celebrating Vought’s confirmation as director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. The post Wheaton College caught in dustup over alumnus Russell Vought, Project 2025 architect appeared first on RNS.

GRAMMY-winner Jonathan McReynolds shares lessons in wins and losses in new book HarperCollins Christian Publishing The post GRAMMY-winner Jonathan McReynolds shares lessons in wins and losses in new book appeared first on RNS.

Money, Lies, and God: Katherine Stewart Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy  This week, author and journalist Katherine Stewart joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the rise of Christian Nationalism, Trump’s authoritarian tendencies, and the weaponization of faith for political gain. Together, they dive into the current political climate, the deep divisions within American society, and how knowledge a…

‘He Gets Us’ ads return to Super Bowl LIX — a little less political after 2024 backlash (RNS) — The campaign returns as a big advertiser during Sunday’s big game. The post ‘He Gets Us’ ads return to Super Bowl LIX — a little less political after 2024 backlash appeared first on RNS.

Just in time, Baptist leader Roy Medley gets his church’s award for interfaith dialogue (RNS) — Medley has shown people of all faiths the power of standing in solidarity with the oppressed not just from their own group or faith, but also vulnerable ‘others.’ The post Just in time, Baptist leader Roy Medley gets his church’s award for interfaith dialogue appeared first on RNS.

Understanding the Aga Khan, leader of Ismaili Muslims (RNS) — The Aga Khan IV was often referred to as a philanthropist, but the description ignores the spiritual impetus for his work. The post Understanding the Aga Khan, leader of Ismaili Muslims appeared first on RNS.

Religious freedom is routinely curbed in Central Asia – but you won’t often see it making international news (The Conversation) — Forum 18, a site based in Norway, is one of the few media outlets specializing in coverage of religious freedom. The post Religious freedom is routinely curbed in Central Asia – but you won’t often see it making international news appeared first on RNS.

Americans will bet more than a billion on the Super Bowl. Do faith leaders care? (RNS)— Legal betting is bad for bettors and society alike, said gambling critic Kathleen Benfield. ‘It’s a house of cards,’ she said. ‘And it’s going to fall.’ The post Americans will bet more than a billion on the Super Bowl. Do faith leaders care? appeared first on RNS.

Record number of organizations recognized for excellence as Certified Best Christian Workplaces in 2024 Best Christian Workplaces The post Record number of organizations recognized for excellence as Certified Best Christian Workplaces in 2024 appeared first on RNS.

Mayor Adams’ new director of hate crime prevention sees God in every New Yorker NEW YORK (RNS) — The most ethnically and religiously diverse city in the world, says Vijah Ramjattan, could use a new approach to its hate crime prevention: one characterized by a pluralistic Hindu worldview. The post Mayor Adams’ new director of hate crime prevention sees God in every New Yorker appeared first on RNS.

Administrators at Harvard Divinity School quit, say school condoned hate (RNS) — Two administrators at Harvard Divinity School’s Religion in Public Life program have left. The latest, Hussein Rashid, cited anti-Muslim bias. The post Administrators at Harvard Divinity School quit, say school condoned hate appeared first on RNS.

Treading on taboos, a psychiatrist trains Christians to see spiritual side of mental health PHILADELPHIA (RNS) — Spearheaded by Dr. Atasha Jordan, a Christian psychiatrist, the Christian Mental Health Initiative provides free mental health first aid trainings to churches. The post Treading on taboos, a psychiatrist trains Christians to see spiritual side of mental health appeared first on RNS.

In Israel, reaction to ‘Trump plan’ for Gaza met with disbelief across political spectrum JERUSALEM (RNS) — Both Israelis and Palestinians are wondering whether Trump’s extreme pronouncements are a bluff, a shock tactic or a serious proposal. The post In Israel, reaction to ‘Trump plan’ for Gaza met with disbelief across political spectrum appeared first on RNS.