Pope Francis paves way for canonization of Carlo Acutis, first millennial saint

Pope Francis issued a decree on Thursday announcing the recognition of a miracle attributed to Bl. Carlo Acutis — clearing the way for the Italian teenager's canonization in the near future. 

Catholic school can legally fire gay teacher, court finds

On May 8, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a North Carolina Catholic high school could legally fire gay teacher Lonnie Billard, citing the "ministerial exception" to uphold its religious doctrines.

What is Eid al-Fitr and how is it celebrated?

Eid al-Fitr is a holiday celebrated by Muslims to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan. 

This Filipino villager was nailed to a cross for the 35th time on Good Friday

Ruben Enaje and other villagers participated in real-life crucifixions, which have become an annual tradition in his village in the Philippines.

Here's what's open and closed on Good Friday 2024

Good Friday, a Christian holiday observed on the Friday before Easter, is a day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus. Here’s what’s likely to be open and closed.

Trump is selling Bibles for $59.99 ahead of Easter

Former President Donald Trump is hawking Bibles as he runs to return to the White House.

Visiting pastor halts sermon to save woman choking on peppermint

Pastor Brandon Stewart, while delivering a sermon at Mt. Zion Church in Cottonwood, Alabama, swiftly transitioned from preacher to hero when he saved a woman from choking.

Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday collide: When love meets Lent

Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day fall on the same day this year – a day of indulgence meeting a day of abstaining.

NYC secret tunnel in Brooklyn synagogue leads to brawl between NYPD, worshippers

A historic Brooklyn synagogue that serves as the center of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement in Crown Heights was trashed this week during an unusual community dispute that began with the discovery of a secret underground tunnel and ended in brawl between worshippers and the NYPD.

Pope Francis condemns surrogacy as 'despicable,' calls for global ban

Pope Francis called Monday for a universal ban on what he called the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing threats to global peace and human dignity.

Pope Francis individually baptizes infants during annual ceremony at Sistine Chapel

Pope Francis baptized 16 babies in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday under the ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo, in what has become an annual tradition near the end of the Christmas holiday period at the Vatican.

Watch Night service: How the tradition for Black Americans has evolved since 1862

Watch Night services, which date back to the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, are still observed on New Year's Eve at many multiracial and predominately Black churches in the US.

Rapper Ye issues a Hebrew apology for previous antisemitic comments

The rapper formerly known as Kanye West, who has a long history of making antisemitic comments, apologized to the Jewish community in an Instagram post written in Hebrew on Tuesday.

Pope Francis, in Christmas Day blessing, begs for Israel-Hamas cease-fire

Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, “is a place of sorrow and silence" this year, Pope Francis lamented as he pleaded for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Pope Francis celebrates birthday amid church reforms, health concerns

Pope Francis turned 87 on Sunday, closing out a year that saw big milestones in his efforts to reform the Catholic Church as well as health scares that raise questions about his future as pope.