Religion and belief

Associated Press

Worship attendance at churches up for the first time in decades, according to new report

ATLANTA – The past 25 years have been rough for American churches and other houses of worship. The median worship…

May 11, 2026

Associated Press

Rubio plans to visit the Vatican this week

Tensions between Trump and the pope rise

May 4, 2026

Associated Press

What to know about the Ten Commandments going up in public school classrooms

The Texas mandate is one of several fronts in the battle over religion in classrooms

April 27, 2026

Associated Press

Supreme Court will hear from religious preschools challenging exclusion from taxpayer-funded program

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen on Friday in Washington. Mariam Zuhaib/AP Photo WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Monday…

April 20, 2026

Associated Press

Pope Leo says he does not fear Trump, citing Gospel as he pushes back in feud over Iran war

Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists aboard his flight bound for Algiers’ Houari Boumédiène International Airport on Monday at the…

April 13, 2026

Associated Press

Pope Leo urges peace in first Easter Mass as Christians celebrate in Jerusalem, Gaza and Tehran

Pope Leo XIV sprinkles holy water with a bunch of hyssop sprigs as he presides over Easter Mass in St.…

April 6, 2026

Spain begins Holy Week with processions, palm branches and familiar faces

Palm Sunday was the first major day of the Holy Week

March 30, 2026

In Passover ritual, Jews worldwide reenact an ancient story of liberation

The holiday commemorates the Exodus of Israelites from slavery in Egypt

March 30, 2026

People ‘bathe’ in nature to get respite from chaotic news cycle

The activity has been known to reduce stress, improve mood and more

March 23, 2026

Before recent attack, Michigan synagogue had been bolstering its security

The synagogue hired a former police lieutenant to lead its in-house armed security guards

March 16, 2026

Pope escalates call for ceasefire in Iran by addressing those responsible for the war

The plight of Christian communities in southern Lebanon is of particular concern to the Vatican

March 16, 2026

As Iran war expands, some conservative Christians interpret the conflict through biblical prophecies

Some U.S. commanders have been telling troops that the current war with Iran was part of a divine plan

March 13, 2026

Pope accepts resignation of U.S. bishop arrested for financial crimes

Bishop accused of embezzling $270,000

March 10, 2026

What James Madison can teach Americans about religious freedom today

For Madison, religion could flourish only under conditions of freedom, not compulsion

March 9, 2026

The apocrypha, Christianity’s ‘hidden’ texts, may not be in the Bible – but they have shaped tradition for centuries

FILE – Bibles are displayed in Miami. Religious publishers say President Trump's most recently proposed tariffs on Chinese imports could…

March 2, 2026

‘Flour war’ erupts in Greek seaside town as revelers celebrate the start of Lent

Revelers take part in the annual flour war marking the end of the Carnival season on Clean Monday in Galaxidi,…

February 23, 2026

Ramadan’s first Friday prayers are held at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque

Palestinians viewed heightened Israeli security presence as a provocation

February 23, 2026

Court clears way for Louisiana law requiring Ten Commandments posters in classrooms

Appeals court lifts block on law amid questions about religious displays in public schools

February 21, 2026

Bayfield town board approves rezoning for faith-based arena project

Proposed facility would host rodeos, stock shows and worship events

February 19, 2026

U.S. judge denies request to halt Oak Flat land transfer to copper mining company

The area is dotted with ancient oak groves and traditional plants the Apaches consider essential to their religion

August 19, 2025

New lawsuits allege systemic abuse and concealment by Catholic Dioceses

The newly filed complaints names seven priests

August 1, 2025

‘Absolutely revolting’ church play depicting Navajo medicine man in hell sparks outrage

Navajo Nation Council issues letter to Gallup church

June 20, 2025

Associated Press New Mexico

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and…

April 21, 2025

Associated Press New Mexico

Thousands of pilgrims trek through New Mexico desert to historic adobe church for Good Friday

CHIMAYÓ, N.M. (AP) — A unique Holy Week tradition drew thousands of Catholic pilgrims to a small adobe church in…

April 18, 2025