World Cup squads showcase faith and unity amid deep social divisions at home
Read full article: World Cup squads showcase faith and unity amid deep social divisions at homeWhile many of the World Cup’s competing nations are wracked by social divisions, some of the teams offer strikingly positive examples of how players from different backgrounds and religious faiths can cooperate.
‘It’s a political position:’ First Amendment attorney on Uthmeier’s cryptic message to MLB
Read full article: ‘It’s a political position:’ First Amendment attorney on Uthmeier’s cryptic message to MLBAn Orlando attorney who specializes in the First Amendment cast doubt on Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier's chances of bringing a successful case against Major League Baseball.
Iran says the initial deal to end the war with the US requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanon
Read full article: Iran says the initial deal to end the war with the US requires Israel to withdraw from LebanonIran’s top diplomat says the tentative deal to end the war with the United States would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon — a condition Israel has already rejected and that could sink the agreement.
JD Vance writes of journey to Catholicism in 'Communion,' his first book since 'Hillbilly Elegy'
Read full article: JD Vance writes of journey to Catholicism in 'Communion,' his first book since 'Hillbilly Elegy'Vice President JD Vance writes about his religious journey in a new book, "Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith."
Initial deal to end US-Iran war moves toward formal signing despite lingering questions
Read full article: Initial deal to end US-Iran war moves toward formal signing despite lingering questionsAn initial agreement between the United States and Iran to extend their shaky ceasefire is inching toward a formal signing.
A tentative deal is reached to end the Iran war and Trump orders a stop to the US naval blockade
Read full article: A tentative deal is reached to end the Iran war and Trump orders a stop to the US naval blockadeThe United States and Iran have reached an initial agreement to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
A viral photo of Pope Leo XIV and a Barcelona boy sparked an emotional search for his family
Read full article: A viral photo of Pope Leo XIV and a Barcelona boy sparked an emotional search for his familyPope Leo XIV shared a touching moment with a 7-year-old boy, captured by AP photographer Emilio Morenatti.
Pope tells traffickers of migrants in the Canary Islands: Stop, repent or face God's wrath
Read full article: Pope tells traffickers of migrants in the Canary Islands: Stop, repent or face God's wrathPope Leo XIV is warning human traffickers that they will face God’s wrath for exploiting the desperation of migrants.
As UFOs go mainstream, the jury is out on what the existence of alien life might mean for religion
Read full article: As UFOs go mainstream, the jury is out on what the existence of alien life might mean for religionSteven Spielberg's new film “Disclosure Day” explores extraterrestrial life and its impact on religion.
US Catholic bishops consecrated nation to the Sacred Heart at gathering in Orlando
Read full article: US Catholic bishops consecrated nation to the Sacred Heart at gathering in OrlandoU.S. Catholic bishops have consecrated the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, marking the country's 250th anniversary.
Pope slams world's indifference to migrants while visiting onetime 'dock of shame' in Canary Islands
Read full article: Pope slams world's indifference to migrants while visiting onetime 'dock of shame' in Canary IslandsPope Leo XIV has traveled to the Canary Islands, an epicenter of the European migration debate.
Trump calls off latest threats to strike Iran, cites breakthrough in talks to end the war
Read full article: Trump calls off latest threats to strike Iran, cites breakthrough in talks to end the warU.S. President Donald Trump has called off new military strikes on Iran, hours after threatening to escalate the war.
The Latest: Iran and US exchange fire for second day as hostiles escalate in Mideast region
Read full article: The Latest: Iran and US exchange fire for second day as hostiles escalate in Mideast regionHostilities between the U.S. and Iran have escalated, with Iran retaliating against U.S. air and cruise missile strikes.
Southern Baptists vote to advance a formal ban on churches with women pastors
Read full article: Southern Baptists vote to advance a formal ban on churches with women pastorsThousands of Southern Baptists have voted overwhelmingly to advance a formal ban on churches with women pastors in the nation’s largest conservative evangelical denomination.
A Pentagon list overhaul puts Mormon church’s Christian identity back in the spotlight
Read full article: A Pentagon list overhaul puts Mormon church’s Christian identity back in the spotlightThe Pentagon’s recent revision to its list of Christian religions has reignited a long-standing debate about whether The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Christian denomination.
Pope honors Barcelona's Sagrada Familia as masterpiece of stone, color and light on Gaudí centenary
Read full article: Pope honors Barcelona's Sagrada Familia as masterpiece of stone, color and light on Gaudí centenaryPope Leo XIV has celebrated the Sagrada Familia Basilica as a masterpiece of “stones, colors and light.”.
Insider tour of the Sagrada Familia reveals 5 divine enigmas and hidden treasures
Read full article: Insider tour of the Sagrada Familia reveals 5 divine enigmas and hidden treasuresThe unique grandeur of the Sagrada Familia means that even those who work and worship at Barcelona’s world famous basilica every day can still be surprised with some fresh wonder.
US Catholic bishops are consecrating the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Here's what that means
Read full article: US Catholic bishops are consecrating the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Here's what that meansCatholic bishops from across the U.S. come together Thursday to consecrate the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Christian leaders in Lebanese city of Tyre call for quick international action after Israeli warning
Read full article: Christian leaders in Lebanese city of Tyre call for quick international action after Israeli warningChristian religious leaders in the Lebanese city of Tyre have urged swift international and local action to prevent Israeli attacks on the Christian district.
Pope Leo will tap into the Sagrada Familia's allure while honoring Catalonia's holy mountain
Read full article: Pope Leo will tap into the Sagrada Familia's allure while honoring Catalonia's holy mountainPope Leo XIV will bridge 1,000 years of church history Wednesday when he visits a medieval monastery on a mountaintop that local Catholics consider sacred and then celebrates Mass at Barcelona’s famous Sagrada Familia Basilica.
Pope meets with 6 clergy abuse survivors in Spain, hopes to improve response
Read full article: Pope meets with 6 clergy abuse survivors in Spain, hopes to improve responseThe Vatican says that Pope Leo XIV has met with six survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Madrid and vowed to consider their suggestions for how the Catholic Church can improve its response to the crisis.
Pope's historic speech to Spain's parliament demands respect for migrants and gets 7-minute ovation
Read full article: Pope's historic speech to Spain's parliament demands respect for migrants and gets 7-minute ovationSpain's lawmakers have given Pope Leo XIV a lengthy standing ovation after his historic address to parliament.
The Latest: Israel and Iran trade fire in most serious confrontation since April ceasefire
Read full article: The Latest: Israel and Iran trade fire in most serious confrontation since April ceasefireIsrael and Iran have exchanged fire, marking the first such incident since a ceasefire two months ago.
Israel and Iran appear to pause strikes after trading fire for the first time since April ceasefire
Read full article: Israel and Iran appear to pause strikes after trading fire for the first time since April ceasefireIsrael and Iran appear to be backing away from further strikes, just hours after they traded fire for the first time since the U.S. and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire two months ago.
Pope Leo XIV draws 1.2 million to Mass and challenges Europe to acknowledge its Christian roots
Read full article: Pope Leo XIV draws 1.2 million to Mass and challenges Europe to acknowledge its Christian rootsPope Leo XIV has challenged Europe to acknowledge Christianity’s contributions to its cultural identity.
Pope Leo XIV acknowledges stiff competition with Bad Bunny in Spain and weighs in on soccer rivalry
Read full article: Pope Leo XIV acknowledges stiff competition with Bad Bunny in Spain and weighs in on soccer rivalryPope Leo XIV acknowledges that he's competing with another VIP in Madrid this weekend.
What to know about Pope Leo's trip to Spain, from political scandal to Barcelona's architectural gem
Read full article: What to know about Pope Leo's trip to Spain, from political scandal to Barcelona's architectural gemPope Leo XIV’s weeklong visit to Spain will bring him to a once-staunchly Catholic country that has long been in the throes of waning religious practice.
Pope Leo XIV urges Spain to stop fanning flames of polarization on first papal visit in 15 years
Read full article: Pope Leo XIV urges Spain to stop fanning flames of polarization on first papal visit in 15 yearsPope Leo XIV is urging Spaniards to stop “fanning the flames of polarization” as he arrived in Spain.
Defense Department slashes its religious designations list from more than 200 choices to 31
Read full article: Defense Department slashes its religious designations list from more than 200 choices to 31The Defense Department has announced a significant reduction in the number of religious affiliations it officially recognizes.
Lebanese leaders lash out at Iran and say their country should not be used as a 'bargaining chip'
Read full article: Lebanese leaders lash out at Iran and say their country should not be used as a 'bargaining chip'Lebanon’s president and prime minister are criticizing Iran for rejecting the latest ceasefire deal between the Lebanese government and Israel.
The superfans known as the 'Spurs Nuns' aiming to bring divine intervention to the NBA Finals
Read full article: The superfans known as the 'Spurs Nuns' aiming to bring divine intervention to the NBA FinalsVictor Wembanyama stepped off the court for a moment before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, accepted greetings from a handful of well-wishers in San Antonio Spurs jerseys, then bowed his head to join them in a quick prayer.
Pope Leo's visiting Europe's migration hot spots. Catholics hope he'll ease political tensions
Read full article: Pope Leo's visiting Europe's migration hot spots. Catholics hope he'll ease political tensionsPope Leo XIV will visit two flashpoints of migration from Africa to Europe over less than a month starting on June 11.
Some Republican governors are rebranding June with conservative alternatives to Pride
Read full article: Some Republican governors are rebranding June with conservative alternatives to PrideJune is Pride Month across the U.S. But in some Republican-controlled states it's now officially Fidelity, Nuclear Family or Strong Families Month.
Hezbollah rejects latest ceasefire agreement as Israeli strikes kill 4 in Lebanon
Read full article: Hezbollah rejects latest ceasefire agreement as Israeli strikes kill 4 in LebanonHezbollah has rejected the latest ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese government and demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal.
ICE protesters who interrupted Minnesota church service won't face state charges, prosecutor says
Read full article: ICE protesters who interrupted Minnesota church service won't face state charges, prosecutor saysDozens of anti-immigration enforcement protesters who face federal criminal charges after they interrupted a Minnesota church service in January, accompanied by former CNN journalist Don Lemon, will not additionally face state charges.
The case of a UK teen who died from a stab wound while handcuffed by police stirs debate
Read full article: The case of a UK teen who died from a stab wound while handcuffed by police stirs debateThe fatal stabbing of a British teenage who was handcuffed despite telling offices that he was wounded has sparked a debate about policing and race.
'Love my woke pope': Why Leo's first encyclical went viral and how it speaks to his papal approach
Read full article: 'Love my woke pope': Why Leo's first encyclical went viral and how it speaks to his papal approachPope Leo XIV has issued a manifesto calling for robust regulation of artificial intelligence.
AP exclusive: Under Notre Dame cathedral, a 'dig of the century' unearths 1,700 years of history
Read full article: AP exclusive: Under Notre Dame cathedral, a 'dig of the century' unearths 1,700 years of historyArchaeologists are digging beneath Notre Dame cathedral to explore as far back as Roman Paris from 2,000 years ago.
Online commentators Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur barred from entering the UK for public events
Read full article: Online commentators Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur barred from entering the UK for public eventsBritish authorities have blocked a Turkish American streamer Hasan Piker and political commentator Cenk Uygur from entering the U.K. The Home Office said Monday that their electronic travel authorizations were canceled over concerns that their presence might not be conducive to the public good.
Returning to the fold? Some young Spaniards embrace Catholicism and can’t wait for Pope Leo’s visit
Read full article: Returning to the fold? Some young Spaniards embrace Catholicism and can’t wait for Pope Leo’s visitTraveling to Spain in June and France in September, Pope Leo XIV will find traditionally Catholic but now staunchly secular countries with an abundance of historic churches but few people in the pews.
Palestinian man is shot and killed at a West Bank barrier near Jerusalem
Read full article: Palestinian man is shot and killed at a West Bank barrier near JerusalemIsraeli forces have shot and killed a Palestinian man at a barrier separating the West Bank from Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Mexican designer blends soccer and pre-Hispanic culture ahead of the World Cup
Read full article: Mexican designer blends soccer and pre-Hispanic culture ahead of the World CupIt’s no coincidence that Hugo Rosas’ jersey designs ahead of the World Cup resemble some of Mexico’s most iconic decorations.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani skips annual parade celebrating Israel
Read full article: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani skips annual parade celebrating IsraelNew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani did not attend an annual parade honoring Israel, breaking with a decades-long political custom because of his support of Palestinian rights.
Trump ponders whether to move forward with Iran deal but hasn't yet decided
Read full article: Trump ponders whether to move forward with Iran deal but hasn't yet decidedU.S. President Donald Trump met with his advisers for about two hours but has not yet made a decision on whether to move forward with a deal to extend the Iran ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Chicago mayor sees Pope Leo XIV as key ally on social justice, migration after Vatican meeting
Read full article: Chicago mayor sees Pope Leo XIV as key ally on social justice, migration after Vatican meetingChicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has cast Pope Leo XIV as a global ally on social justice, migration and reparations after meeting the Chicago-born pontiff at the Vatican.
US and Iranian negotiators reach tentative deal to extend ceasefire and start new nuclear talks
Read full article: US and Iranian negotiators reach tentative deal to extend ceasefire and start new nuclear talksU.S. and Iranian negotiators have reached a tentative agreement to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and start a new round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program.
Hajj pilgrims perform rituals in soaring heat as Eid al-Adha celebrations begin
Read full article: Hajj pilgrims perform rituals in soaring heat as Eid al-Adha celebrations beginPilgrims in Saudi Arabia have been performing the symbolic stoning of the devil during the Hajj, enduring temperatures over 107 degrees Fahrenheit.
A bitter Eid al-Adha in Mali's capital as al-Qaida-linked blockade sends sheep prices soaring
Read full article: A bitter Eid al-Adha in Mali's capital as al-Qaida-linked blockade sends sheep prices soaringMuslims in Mali's capital, Bamako, face challenges celebrating Eid al-Adha due to a blockade by armed groups linked to al-Qaida.
Australian police plan to form a heavily armed team in response to Bondi Beach massacre
Read full article: Australian police plan to form a heavily armed team in response to Bondi Beach massacreAn Australian government inquiry has heard that a state police force has worked to form a heavily armed rapid response team since the Bondi Beach shooting.
Iran condemns US strikes as a show of 'bad faith' and begins restoring internet after long shutdown
Read full article: Iran condemns US strikes as a show of 'bad faith' and begins restoring internet after long shutdownIran has denounced the most recent U.S. strikes as a sign of bad faith as negotiations press on toward a possible deal to end the war.
Muslim pilgrims converge on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia as the Hajj reaches its peak
Read full article: Muslim pilgrims converge on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia as the Hajj reaches its peakMuslim pilgrims have gathered on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia for the second day of the Hajj, considered the pinnacle of the annual pilgrimage.
Inquiry into antisemitism in Australia condemns online hatred and bigotry targeting witnesses
Read full article: Inquiry into antisemitism in Australia condemns online hatred and bigotry targeting witnessesThe head of an inquiry into antisemitism in Australia has condemned online hatred and bigotry targeting Jewish witnesses.
Pope calls for robust regulation of AI in manifesto that ponders the future of humanity
Read full article: Pope calls for robust regulation of AI in manifesto that ponders the future of humanityPope Leo XIV has called for robust regulation of artificial intelligence and for its developers to work for the common good rather than profit.
Trump says a deal with Iran and opening of Strait of Hormuz are 'largely negotiated'
Read full article: Trump says a deal with Iran and opening of Strait of Hormuz are 'largely negotiated'President Donald Trump says a deal with Iran, including opening the Strait of Hormuz, has been “largely negotiated.”.
Pope Leo meets families of youth lost to illegal toxic waste dumping in Italy's 'Land of Fires'
Read full article: Pope Leo meets families of youth lost to illegal toxic waste dumping in Italy's 'Land of Fires'Pope Leo XIV has visited families near Naples affected by illegal toxic dumping linked to the mafia.
Behavior of teen in mosque shooting led police to seize family guns a year before attack
Read full article: Behavior of teen in mosque shooting led police to seize family guns a year before attackCourt records reveal new details about one of two teenagers who killed three people at a San Diego mosque.
A look at the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid al-Adha and their significance to Muslims around the world
Read full article: A look at the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid al-Adha and their significance to Muslims around the worldLarge numbers of Muslims converge once a year in Saudi Arabia to unite in a series of religious rituals and acts of worship as they perform the Hajj, the pilgrimage that is one of the pillars of Islam.
Israeli security minister who taunted flotilla activists has a record of extreme actions
Read full article: Israeli security minister who taunted flotilla activists has a record of extreme actionsIsrael's far-right national security minister has sparked global outrage after promoting a video of himself taunting activists from a flotilla to Gaza who were detained by his police force.
The teens who attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego were latest to cite prior atrocities
Read full article: The teens who attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego were latest to cite prior atrocitiesAn attack at a California Islamic center is the latest violence where the perpetrators said they were inspired by past atrocities, such as the 2019 massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Ocala church recovering from fire now investigating racially-charged vandalism
Read full article: Ocala church recovering from fire now investigating racially-charged vandalismAn Ocala church already recovering from a major electrical fire is now dealing with what church leaders describe as a hateful act of vandalism involving racial slurs and threatening messages. Leaders at St. Paul A.M.E. Church said someone broke into the church overnight and vandalized the property with racist language and symbols just days after a fire forced the church to close temporarily.
Netanyahu scolds Israeli security minister for releasing videos taunting detained flotilla activists
Read full article: Netanyahu scolds Israeli security minister for releasing videos taunting detained flotilla activistsIsrael’s national security minister has drawn a sharp rebuke from his boss and triggered a backlash abroad after he released videos taunting detained activists from a flotilla that tried to reach Gaza.
Community grieves the 3 men killed while defending San Diego mosque
Read full article: Community grieves the 3 men killed while defending San Diego mosqueAuthorities say the three people killed by two teen shooters at a San Diego mosque died while saving roughly 140 children who were in the building at the time of the attack.
San Diego mosque shooters met online and left writings expressing hate, FBI says
Read full article: San Diego mosque shooters met online and left writings expressing hate, FBI saysAuthorities say the two teenagers who shot and killed three people in an attack on a California mosque had been radicalized online where they first met.
Kenya’s professional mourners help grieving families and keep tradition alive
Read full article: Kenya’s professional mourners help grieving families and keep tradition aliveLoud and expressive mourners are common at funerals around the world — but in parts of Kenya, some of them may be paid workers.
Police: Two suspects kill 3 people at a San Diego mosque before killing themselves
Read full article: Police: Two suspects kill 3 people at a San Diego mosque before killing themselvesAuthorities say two teenage suspects opened fire at an Islamic center in San Diego, killing three men before killing themselves.
US-Mexico border wall construction is desecrating sacred sites, Indigenous leaders say
Read full article: US-Mexico border wall construction is desecrating sacred sites, Indigenous leaders sayIndigenous leaders say that federal contractors are desecrating sacred Native American places and cultural sites at an unprecedented pace in the rush to build more walls on the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Vatican has said a lot about artificial intelligence. A primer ahead of the pope's encyclical
Read full article: The Vatican has said a lot about artificial intelligence. A primer ahead of the pope's encyclicalThe Vatican is preparing to release Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical in the coming weeks.
Created as IDs, dog tags became a crucial link between military families and fallen troops
Read full article: Created as IDs, dog tags became a crucial link between military families and fallen troopsMilitary identification tags — popularly known as dog tags — became standard issue for U.S. troops at the request of an Army chaplain concerned about identifying fallen soldiers at the beginning of the 20th century.
Journey of a lifetime: A US teen Buddhist lama is now a monk studying in the Himalayan foothills
Read full article: Journey of a lifetime: A US teen Buddhist lama is now a monk studying in the Himalayan foothillsA teenage Buddhist lama recently blessed thousands at a monastery in the Himalayan foothills.
Pope decries the rise of AI-directed warfare, saying it leads to a spiral of annihilation
Read full article: Pope decries the rise of AI-directed warfare, saying it leads to a spiral of annihilationPope Leo XIV has denounced investments in AI and high-tech weaponry, warning they lead to a “spiral of annihilation.”.
Trump administration will join a prayer gathering criticized for promoting Christian nationalism
Read full article: Trump administration will join a prayer gathering criticized for promoting Christian nationalismPresident Donald Trump and several top administration officials are joining with a cast of mostly conservative Christian clergy this Sunday for a prayer gathering.
Neo-Nazi leader gets 15 years for recruiting violent attacks, including a Santa poison plot
Read full article: Neo-Nazi leader gets 15 years for recruiting violent attacks, including a Santa poison plotThe leader of an Eastern European neo-Nazi group has been sentenced in New York to 15 years in prison for trying to recruit others to commit violent acts against Jews and racial minorities.
Underwater memorial to wrecked slave ship draws pilgrims seeking to connect with their roots
Read full article: Underwater memorial to wrecked slave ship draws pilgrims seeking to connect with their rootsA group of Black divers recently visited the site where the British slave ship Henrietta Marie sank 326 years ago.
Tensions flare near Strait of Hormuz as a ship is seized and another is sunk
Read full article: Tensions flare near Strait of Hormuz as a ship is seized and another is sunkTensions are escalating again near the Strait of Hormuz after a ship anchored off the United Arab Emirates was seized and taken toward Iran and another was attacked and sank near the coast of Oman.
Palestinian man shot dead while climbing West Bank barrier into Israel in search of work
Read full article: Palestinian man shot dead while climbing West Bank barrier into Israel in search of workPalestinian authorities say Israeli police have shot and killed a Palestinian man attempting to climb the barrier separating the West Bank from Jerusalem.
Soros' Open Society Foundations commit $30M to groups fighting antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate
Read full article: Soros' Open Society Foundations commit $30M to groups fighting antisemitism and anti-Muslim hateOpen Society Foundations, the family philanthropy founded by hedge fund billionaire George Soros, is putting $30 million toward groups fighting antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate.