Religion

National

New York has a new Archbishop. His background looks a lot like Pope Leo's

Claire Giangrave

Like Pope Leo, Bishop Ronald Hicks is an Illinois native with deep experience in Latin America.
Racial Justice and Social Equity

San Diego rabbi mourns classmate killed at Bondi Beach, but refuses to dim celebrations

Katie Hyson

Rabbi Yossi Tiefenbrun of Chabad of Pacific Beach said his congregation will not let "a few terrorists" take Hanukkah away from them.
International

Deadly attack on Bondi Beach follows rise in antisemitic incidents in Australia

Scott Horsley

Australia, like other countries, has seen a rise in antisemitic attacks since the start of the war in Gaza.
National

Church Nativity scenes add zip ties and gas masks to protest immigration raids

The Associated Press

Supporters of the displays say the Bible is on their side, but critics call the scenes sacrilegious and politically divisive, accusing the churches of abusing sacred imagery.
National

When Christmas is a little too bright ... look to Krampus

Deena Prichep

If Santa Claus is the good cop of Christmas, then Krampus is the bad one: a creature from European folklore who scares children into behaving themselves, complete with goat horns and gnashing teeth.
International

Pope Leo wraps up his visit to Lebanon with prayers at the site of Beirut's port blast

Jane Arraf

Pope Leo XIV ended his first overseas papal trip with prayers at Beirut's devastated port and a Mass attended by 150,000 worshippers in a country desperate for signs of hope amid fear of renewed war.
International

Pope Leo visits a wounded Lebanon in his first trip to the Middle East

Jane Arraf

Pope Leo XIV is on his first visit to Lebanon. He arrives at a pivotal time for the country, buffeted by conflict with Israel and a devastating economic crisis.
National

During Advent, immigrant congregations find hope shadowed by fear

Jason DeRose

The weeks leading up to Christmas are typically a time of anticipation and preparation for Christians, but for some immigrant congregations the mood this Advent season isn't especially hopeful.
International

Pope's visit to Lebanon sparks hope but also frustration

Jane Arraf

As Pope Leo prepares to visit northern Lebanon, Christian border villages in the south feel abandoned and struggle to rebuild after the war with Israel.
International

Pope Leo prays for unity at historic Nicaea site

Ruth Sherlock

Durrie Bouscaren

On the second day of his inaugural overseas trip, Pope Leo XIV visited the ancient site of the First Council of Nicaea, in Turkey, urging Christians — and all faiths — to reject the use of religion to justify violence.