religion
60 stories related to this topic, newest first.
freepressjournal.inRare Buffalo With Blond Hair Gains Online Attention
A buffalo with blond hair has drawn online attention after images circulated on social media. The animal's appearance has been compared to a U.S. political figure, and its visibility has reportedly affected plans for a religious ceremony.
bbc.co.ukFormer Shaolin Abbot Sentenced to 24 Years for Embezzlement and Bribery
A Chinese court sentenced Shi Yongxin, former abbot of the Shaolin Temple, to 24 years in prison and fined him 3.5 million yuan after convicting him of embezzling over 131 million yuan and taking bribes.
NprWeekly Quiz Covers Pope Statement on AI and Other Topics
A quiz published this week includes questions on a papal encyclical about artificial intelligence, an automaker's electric vehicle plans, and a first lady's comment. The material draws from recent public statements and events.
Shabbat Candle Lighting Times Listed for Eight Cities
Times for lighting candles and ending Shabbat are provided for New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and five Israeli cities on Friday, May 29, 2026.
dnaindia.comMuslims in India Mark Eid al-Adha with Nationwide Prayers
Muslims across India held Eid al-Adha observances on May 29, 2026. Gatherings took place under heightened security after some localities limited public prayer access.
Pope Leo Issues First Encyclical Addressing Artificial Intelligence Risks
Pope Leo released the first encyclical of his papacy, which focuses on humanity and includes warnings about artificial intelligence. The document was issued as some students have expressed opposition to speeches on the topic.
GB NewsLondon mayor completes Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca
The mayor of London performed the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Officials said attendance reached 1.5 million pilgrims this year despite regional conflict.
apnews.comMuslims Mark Eid al-Adha with Prayers Worldwide
Muslims in multiple countries observed Eid al-Adha on May 27, 2026. Approximately two billion people offered prayers marking the second major Islamic holiday.
680news.comTexas priest trial hears testimony on alleged encounter with congregant
Court testimony described an incident involving a Roman Catholic priest and a woman receiving spiritual guidance. Anthony Odiong, 57, faces criminal charges related to his conduct with female congregants.
nypost.comNew York Mayor Wears Arsenal FC Thobe at Eid al-Adha Event
Mayor Zohran Mamdani appeared at a Wednesday celebration of Eid al-Adha wearing a thobe patterned with the Arsenal FC logo. The event marked the Muslim holiday.
vaticannews.vaPope Leo XIV Issues Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence
Pope Leo XIV released a 42,300-word encyclical Monday that calls for government regulation of AI companies, job protections for workers, and limits on lethal autonomous weapons. The document urges transparency in algorithmic tools used by governments and community involvement in…
rte.iePope Leo XIV Meets Spanish Prime Minister at Vatican
Pope Leo XIV held a private audience with Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the Apostolic Palace on 27 May. The meeting occurred as preparations continue for the Pope's planned visit to Spain in June.
thehindu.comNational Secular Society files complaint against Essex preacher with Charity Commission
The National Secular Society has lodged a formal complaint with the Charity Commission regarding Stephen Clayden, leader of the Bread of Life Community Church in Clacton. The complaint cites statements made in sermons about Islam, marriage, and gender roles. The church holds regi…
foxnews.comOpinion Piece Compares Shavuot and Ramadan Observance
An opinion article published May 27, 2026, draws parallels between the Jewish festival of Shavuot and the Muslim month of Ramadan. The text highlights shared themes of revelation, scripture, and translating belief into daily conduct.
680news.comHajj Pilgrims Complete Final Stoning Ritual Near Mecca
More than 1.7 million Muslims performed the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina on Wednesday. The ritual marks the end of this year's hajj amid a fragile ceasefire in the regional conflict.
WiredPope Leo XIV References Tolkien in AI Encyclical
Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical on Monday addressing artificial intelligence. The document cites J.R.R. Tolkien alongside earlier Catholic teachings on technology and human dignity.
New York PostNew York State Law Creates Buffer Zones Around Houses of Worship
A new state law makes it a crime to interfere with access to houses of worship and parochial schools. The measure establishes 50-foot buffer zones and carries penalties of up to 90 days in jail.
ForbesVice President Vance Praises Pope Leo XIV Encyclical on AI Risks
Vice President JD Vance called Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical “very profound” after the document warned about AI’s military, environmental and moral implications. The 42,000-word text was released Monday alongside an Anthropic co-founder.
vaticannews.vaPope Leo XIV Calls for Public Oversight of Data and Algorithms
Pope Leo XIV posted on X Tuesday urging governments and technology companies to ensure broad access to digital infrastructure. The statement followed the release of an encyclical on artificial intelligence the previous day.
Abc NewsMuslim Pilgrims Gather on Mount Arafat for Hajj Peak
Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims assembled on Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for the Day of Arafah, the spiritual high point of the annual Hajj pilgrimage. The gathering marks the second official day of the multi-day ritual, one of the five pillars of Islam.
New York PostThree Charged With Hate Crimes After Midtown Church Break-In
Police charged three men with hate crimes more than three weeks after a group forced entry into a Midtown church. The incident caused $10,000 in damage and minor injuries to one employee.
The IndependentU.S. president seeks to expand Abraham Accords to additional countries
The U.S. president said he spoke with leaders of six countries about joining the Abraham Accords. The agreements, originally signed in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states.
Al JazeeraCzech Police Detain Russian Orthodox Bishop Over White Substance
Czech police stopped a vehicle on a highway near Karlovy Vary on Sunday evening and detained a Russian Orthodox cleric after finding four containers of a white substance. Russian officials called the action a provocation and summoned the Czech envoy in Moscow.
Pope Leo XIV Issues Document on AI and Slavery Apology
Pope Leo XIV released an encyclical calling for slower AI development and oversight. The document also includes an apology for the Catholic Church's historical role in slavery.
indiatoday.intoday.inKaaba Draped in 670 kg Silk Kiswah for Hajj Pilgrimage
More than 1.5 million pilgrims began the annual Hajj in Mecca on 25 May 2026. The Kaaba is covered by a black silk cloth called the Kiswah that weighs about 670 kg and is embroidered with gold and silver thread.
Al JazeeraAl Jazeera Publishes Feature on History of the Kiswa
Al Jazeera released a report on 25 May 2026 examining the history and production of the Kiswa, the cloth covering the Kaaba. The piece traces more than a thousand years of religious, artisanal, and political developments connected to the garment.
Washington ExaminerPope Leo XIV Apologizes for Church's Role in Slavery in First Encyclical
Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical on Monday, apologizing for the Catholic Church's historical legitimization of slavery and addressing the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
ForbesPope Leo XIV Issues Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence and Technology
Pope Leo XIV released an 83-page encyclical titled Magnifica Humanitas on May 25, 2026. The document addresses artificial intelligence, automation, capitalism, immigration and climate issues.
vaticannews.vaPope Leo XIV Apologizes for Vatican Role in Historical Slave Trade
Pope Leo XIV issued his first encyclical on Monday, apologizing for papal bulls that authorized the enslavement of non-Christians in the 15th century. The document also addresses modern concerns over artificial intelligence and human dignity.
reviewjournal.comColumnist Discusses Applying Shavuot Observance to Daily Torah Study
Sivan Rahav Meir writes that Shavuot marks a renewal point for Torah learning. She suggests readers select a specific portion or class to continue after the holiday ends.
vaticannews.vaPope Leo XIV Criticizes U.S. Military Actions in Iran
Pope Leo XIV has publicly challenged recent U.S. military operations against Iran and other policies, drawing responses from administration figures. The Vatican has maintained diplomatic ties with Iran since 1954 and continues to advocate for adherence to just war criteria.
France 24Pope Leo XIV Issues First Encyclical Calling for AI Regulation
Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical on Monday, urging robust legal frameworks for artificial intelligence and warning against concentrating power in private hands. The document addresses AI's effects on jobs, warfare, and human dignity.
France 24Pope Issues Encyclical Addressing Artificial Intelligence
A papal encyclical has been released on artificial intelligence. The document uses a traditional format to discuss the technology's role in society.
vaticannews.vaPope Leo XIV Tells Leaders Not to Use Wars to Distract Voters
Pope Leo XIV stated that world leaders should not initiate conflicts to divert attention from domestic issues. The remarks were delivered in a public address.
AxiosReligiously unaffiliated voters now 29 percent of U.S. adults
The share of Americans identifying as religiously unaffiliated reached 29 percent in recent data, surpassing Catholics and evangelical Protestants. Campaigns report higher per-voter costs to contact this group because it lacks centralized networks.
France 24Hajj Pilgrims in Mecca Face Extreme Heat
More than one million worshippers gathered in Mecca on Monday for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Daytime temperatures are forecast between 42 and 47 degrees Celsius, prompting some pilgrims to use ice cream and giant fans for relief.
foxnews.comWhite House Issues Message Marking Pentecost
The White House released a statement on May 24, 2026, recognizing the Christian observance of Pentecost. The message references the biblical account and links the holiday to national values.
The TimesWriter Says He Placed Pet Ashes in Coffins Despite Legal Ban
A writer told the Hay Festival that he had placed the ashes of dogs inside owners' coffins on multiple occasions. He said the practice violated rules separating human and animal remains.
gamereactor.euHeat Remains Main Challenge for Hajj Pilgrims in Mecca
Pilgrims in Mecca continue to face high temperatures during the annual Hajj. The heat challenge follows more than 1,300 deaths reported during the 2024 pilgrimage.
nypost.comBible Handout Held Outside Texas High School After February Quran Distribution
A table distributing Bibles, figurines and bracelets was set up outside Wylie East High School on Tuesday. The event followed a February table at the same school that gave students Qurans and pamphlets on Sharia law and hijabs.
680news.comReligious Leader Comments on Sector's Role in National Service
A president of a religious educational organization stated that some members of a religious sector bear responsibility for failing to serve. The remarks addressed participation in national service obligations.
Fox NewsBishop Robert Barron Urges Dialogue Between Catholics and Trump Administration on Immigration
Bishop Robert Barron called for conversation between Catholics and the Trump administration on immigration and border security. He said moral concerns about human trafficking and missing children support stricter enforcement.
thehindu.comBook Examines American Jewish Immigrants' Role in Israeli Orthodox Judaism
A new book by Bar-Ilan University professor Adam S. Ferziger profiles eight American Jewish educators who immigrated to Israel between the mid-1960s and early 1980s and helped shape moderate Orthodox institutions and debates.
medium.comBook Review Examines Rabbi Ashlag Introduction to the Zohar
A new English translation presents Rabbi Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag's introduction to the Zohar. The volume explains exile, desire, and repair through the Baal HaSulam's commentary.
Abc NewsPeru Catholic Officials Hold Ceremony Apologizing for Indigenous Land Loss
Peruvian Catholic leaders conducted a symbolic reparation event for an Indigenous community in northern Peru. The ceremony addressed past land dispossession linked to a dissolved Catholic group.
The Sydney Morning HeraldJewish Community Marks Shavuot Festival This Weekend
The two-day Shavuot festival concludes across Australia this weekend. The event commemorates the giving of the Torah and coincides with the harvest season.
EuronewsPope Leo XIV Visits Southern Italy's Land of Fires Region
Pope Leo XIV traveled to Acerra on Saturday to meet families affected by decades of illegal toxic waste dumping. He addressed local leaders and thousands of residents about pollution, marginalization, and the need for solidarity.
NprHajj pilgrimage begins in Mecca as Iran ceasefire talks continue
More than 1.5 million pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday for the annual Hajj, which starts against a backdrop of a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States and Israel. Officials reported higher foreign attendance than last year despite regional uncertainty.
jta.orgIsraeli High-School Yeshivas Receive State Funds Without Core Curriculum Requirements
Haaretz reported on the funding and curriculum structure of certain ultra-Orthodox high-school yeshivas. The article describes state support without mandated core academic subjects.
U.S. Muslims Depart for Hajj Pilgrimage
Some American Muslims have secured spots for this year's Hajj despite an Iran war that began February 28 and ended with an April ceasefire. Pilgrims cite faith as the main driver while noting added travel concerns.
vaticannews.vaPope Leo Visits Acerra, Condemns Waste Dumping and Profit Motives
Pope Leo traveled to Acerra, Italy on Saturday and called for an end to practices that pollute land, water, and air. He met with families affected by toxic waste dumping in the region known as the Land of Fires.
Nbc NewsTwo Attackers Killed Three at San Diego Islamic Center
Two gunmen attempted to enter the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday. Three people died while stopping the attack. Local religious communities reported rising hate crimes in the preceding year.
Rabbi Wrote on Destructive Power of Hatred Before Death
Rabbi Eli Schlanger prepared reflections on the effects of words and actions for a forthcoming book. He was later killed in the Bondi Beach massacre.
thedispatch.com1694 Philadelphia Group Awaited Apocalypse at Wissahickon Creek
A band of German monks and mystics settled along the Wissahickon Creek in Philadelphia in 1694 expecting the end of the world at the turn of the millennium. The article frames this settlement as an early example of American apocalyptic belief.
manilatimes.netGB News Broadcasts Daily Reflection on Pentecost for May 23 2026
GB News aired a video segment on May 23 2026 that recounted the biblical account of Pentecost from Acts chapter two. The segment described the transformation of Jesus' followers after the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
The Japan TimesKawasaki Holds Annual Kanamara Festival at Kanayama Shrine
Crowds gathered in Kawasaki on the first Sunday of April for the Kanamara Festival at Kanayama Shrine. The event features portable shrines shaped like phalluses that are carried through the shrine grounds and nearby streets.
news.sky.comGaza Residents Unable to Perform Hajj After Family Deaths
Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza who planned to travel for the annual Hajj pilgrimage remain unable to leave the territory. Many lost relatives during the recent conflict and now face travel restrictions.
Nbc NewsLawsuit Alleges Arkansas Church Leaders Ignored Reports About Pastor Tony Waller
Six women filed a civil complaint in Craighead County Circuit Court alleging that Refuge Church and Assemblies of God officials dismissed earlier warnings about Tony Waller. The suit claims the warnings began in 2000 and continued until Waller’s 2015 arrest.
New York PostVatican Schedules AI Encyclical Event With Secular Speakers
The Vatican will hold a Monday press conference to present an encyclical on artificial intelligence. The event includes a secular AI researcher among its scheduled speakers.
Nbc NewsLawsuit Alleges Arkansas Church Leaders Ignored Reports of Pastor’s Abuse for Years
Six women filed a civil complaint this week in Craighead County Circuit Court alleging that Refuge Church and Assemblies of God leaders dismissed repeated warnings about children’s pastor Tony Waller. The suit claims the inaction allowed abuse and secret filming to continue for m…