‘The cathedral is saved’: Construction continues on 2-year anniversary of fire that engulfed Notre Dame
Bystanders stood and watched as reconstruction continues at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, two years to the day since a devastating fire engulfed the iconic church.
Christians celebrate second Easter marred by COVID-19 pandemic
Christianity’s most joyous feast day is being celebrated worldwide with faithful sitting far apart in pews and singing choruses of “Hallelujah” through face coverings for the second Easter Sunday.
After missing out in 2020, Minnesota churches plan safe Easter ceremonies for Sunday
The pandemic cancelled many Easter festivities last year, but with more people getting vaccinated, many are gathering this year for the spring celebration.
Some Holy Land sites reopen as Christians mark Good Friday
Christians in the Holy Land are marking Good Friday this year amid signs the coronavirus crisis is winding down.
US church membership falls below 50% for 1st time in nearly a century
For the first time since the late 1930s, less than half of Americans say they belong to a church, synagogue or mosque, according to a new Gallup poll.
Minneapolis faith leaders holding daily prayer session during Chauvin trial
There's an effort to bring hope, healing and action to Minneapolis through the power of prayer. A group of faith leaders from all denominations is inviting members of the public to be there with them for a daily virtual service.
New Dead Sea Scrolls dating back nearly 2,000 years discovered in Israel
The new Dead Sea Scroll fragments bearing a biblical text are believed to have been hidden during a Jewish revolt against Rome nearly 1,900 years ago.
Pope Francis holds historic, symbolic meeting with top Iraq Shiite cleric
Pope Francis and Iraq’s top Shiite cleric have delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence, urging Muslims to embrace Iraq’s long-beleaguered Christian minority during a historic meeting.
In visit to Baghdad, Pope Francis urges Iraq to embrace its Christians
Pope Francis has urged Iraqis to treat their Christian brothers as a precious resource to protect, not an “obstacle” to eliminate as he opens the first-ever papal visit to Iraq.
Hundreds gather for 'Mass on ice' on Lake Sagatagan
For more than 160 years, Lake Sagatagan has been one of the main features at St. John's University. But, over the weekend, the frozen body of water became a house of worship.
Pope Francis says women can read at Mass, but still can't be priests
Pope Francis has changed church law to explicitly allow women to do more things during Mass, while reaffirming they cannot be priests.
Pope prays for dead in Capitol rioting, appeals for calm
Pope Francis said Sunday that he is praying for those who died in the U.S. Capitol rioting and has appealed for calm to prevail in the United States to help safeguard that nation's democratic values.
2020 Vatican nativity display draws comparisons to ‘Star Wars’ scene
The Vatican’s 2020 nativity scene, which is different every year, has drawn criticism from some for its futuristic style.
Illinois militia group leader found guilty in 2017 Bloomington mosque bombing
A jury convicted the leader of an Illinois militia group on several federal civil rights and hate crimes Wednesday in connection with the 2017 bombing of the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Justices order review of California virus rules for churches
The high court's unsigned order Thursday, with no noted dissent, leaves the California restrictions in place for now.
Vatican faults many for ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick's rise but spares Pope Francis
A Vatican investigation into ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick has found that bishops, cardinals and popes downplayed or dismissed reports that he slept with seminarians.
'On Eagle's Wings': Joe Biden quotes Minnesota priest's hymn in victory speech
President-elect Joe Biden ended his victory speech Saturday night by quoting the hymn “On Eagle’s Wings,” which was written by a Minnesota priest.
Archbishop of Washington named first African-American cardinal
It's another historic moment for Archbishop Gregory, who moved to Washington last year.
‘They are children of God’: Francis becomes 1st pope to endorse same-sex civil unions
Pope Francis endorsed same-sex civil unions for the first time as pope while being interviewed for the feature-length documentary “Francesco.”
Thousands, many maskless, packed together at concert in Nashville amid rising COVID-19 cases
Video captured thousands of people in downtown Nashville, many of whom were flouting social distancing guidelines and not wearing masks, attending a worship concert.