Citing pope’s pro-family view, couple at heart of Vatican bank ban on workplace marriage go to court ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has long urged couples to marry and have babies rather than dogs. He also has long championed the rights of workers and held up labor itself as the foundation of human dignity. The post Citing pope’s pro-family view, couple at heart of Vatican bank ban on workplace marriage go to court appeared first on RNS.

Who are the hostages released as part of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire in Gaza? JERUSALEM (AP) — In the ceasefire’s first phase, Israel and Hamas have agreed that 33 Israeli hostages in Gaza will be released in exchange for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The post Who are the hostages released as part of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire in Gaza? appeared first on RNS.

Largest evangelical ministry in Middle East heads to America to attend the 2025 International Christian Media Convention MattiMedia Group The post Largest evangelical ministry in Middle East heads to America to attend the 2025 International Christian Media Convention appeared first on RNS.

Rest, reorientation and hope – the pillars of 2025’s Catholic Jubilee year (The Conversation) — The Catholic Church’s Holy Years have biblical roots, but have been evolving for nearly 1,000 years. The post Rest, reorientation and hope – the pillars of 2025’s Catholic Jubilee year appeared first on RNS.

Deadline quickly nearing for Religion Communicators Council Wilbur Award entries Religion Communicators Council (RCC) The post Deadline quickly nearing for Religion Communicators Council Wilbur Award entries appeared first on RNS.

With a new president in the White House, women boldly advance peace and multi-faith collaboration in the Middle East Empower Women Media The post With a new president in the White House, women boldly advance peace and multi-faith collaboration in the Middle East appeared first on RNS.

The Upper Room announces two-year Academy for Spiritual Formation #43 The Upper Room The post The Upper Room announces two-year Academy for Spiritual Formation #43 appeared first on RNS.

In asking Trump to show mercy, Bishop Budde continues a long tradition of Christian leaders ‘speaking truth to power’ (The Conversation) — A scholar of medieval Christianity explores the history of Christians who spoke out, unafraid to risk official censure or even death. The post In asking Trump to show mercy, Bishop Budde continues a long tradition of Christian leaders ‘speaking truth to power’ appeared first on RNS.

‘A test of faith’: In Altadena congregations, no family untouched by fire (RNS) — In historically diverse Altadena, where more than 9,000 structures were destroyed in the fire, some congregations have dozens of families who lost homes. The post ‘A test of faith’: In Altadena congregations, no family untouched by fire appeared first on RNS.

With federal funds stopped, local faith groups plan to redouble private efforts to settle refugees PITTSBURGH (RNS) — Moving forward, experts say, private donations and volunteers from local faith groups will be more crucial than ever. The post With federal funds stopped, local faith groups plan to redouble private efforts to settle refugees appeared first on RNS.

Tulsi Gabbard’s religious background is not complicated, say American Hindus (RNS) — Alongside criticisms of her political history, Gabbard has long fielded questions about her particular branch of Hindu faith, which many have referred to as a ‘cult.’ The post Tulsi Gabbard’s religious background is not complicated, say American Hindus appeared first on RNS.

Suspending PEPFAR: An emergency of our own making (RNS) — Trump’s stop-work order came with such power and authority that, literally, it caused global momentum on fighting HIV to simply stop. The post Suspending PEPFAR: An emergency of our own making appeared first on RNS.

Palestinians celebrate their return to northern Gaza after 15 months of war WADI GAZA, Gaza Strip (AP) — Joyous crowds of Palestinians, some holding babies or pushing wheelchairs, walked along a seaside road all day and into the night, carrying bedrolls, bottles of water and other belongings. The post Palestinians celebrate their return to northern Gaza after 15 months of war appeared first on RNS.

Police say at least 30 people have died in a stampede at the massive Maha Kumbh festival in India PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) — Indian authorities took more than 16 hours to release casualty figures, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the loss of lives, calling the incident “extremely sad” and extending his condolences. The post Police say at least 30 people have died in a stampede at the massive Maha Kumbh festival in India appeare…

Bishop Budde asks Trump to show mercy, continuing tradition of Christian leaders ‘speaking truth to power’ (The Conversation) — A scholar of medieval Christianity explores the history of Christians who spoke out, unafraid to risk official censure or even death. The post Bishop Budde asks Trump to show mercy, continuing tradition of Christian leaders ‘speaking truth to power’ appeared first on RNS.

St. Thomas Aquinas’ skull just went on tour − here’s what the saint himself would have said about its veneration (The Conversation) — In a short but poignant text from his best-known work, ‘Summa Theologiae,’ Aquinas explained his views on venerating relics. The post St. Thomas Aquinas’ skull just went on tour − here’s what the saint himself would have said about its veneration appeared first on RNS.

Full-scale replica of Anne Frank’s hidden annex opens in NYC NEW YORK (AP) — The exhibit at the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan represents the first time the annex has been completely recreated outside of Amsterdam, where the space is a central part of the Anne Frank House museum. The post Full-scale replica of Anne Frank’s hidden annex opens in NYC appeared first on RNS.

Hind Rajab: The Anne Frank of Gaza’s genocide (RNS) — One year later, her name must never be forgotten. The post Hind Rajab: The Anne Frank of Gaza’s genocide appeared first on RNS.

Black ministers denounce Project 2025, urge collective Black resistance (RNS) — The ministers’ statement also criticized white evangelicals, whom it described as ‘drunk on the religion of white Christian nationalism.’ The post Black ministers denounce Project 2025, urge collective Black resistance appeared first on RNS.

The gathering force of Trump’s religious opposition (RNS) — We are seeing the beginnings of an interfaith protest movement the likes of which we haven’t seen since the March on Washington. The post The gathering force of Trump’s religious opposition appeared first on RNS.