Church of England refuses to preside over same-sex marriages
"Blessings" from the Church of England for same-sex marriage are allowed, but same-sex couples are still not allowed to marry in its churches.
Taliban orders Kabul's mannequins, hooded or masked
Under the Taliban, the mannequins in women’s dress shops across the Afghan capital of Kabul are a haunting sight, their heads cloaked in cloth sacks or wrapped in black plastic bags.
Public can visit Pope Benedict XVI's tomb
The public can now visit the tomb of Pope Benedict XVI in the grottoes under St. Peter’s Basilica.
Man smashes church altar with sledgehammer, steals 1,500-year-old relics
“The sheriff reported that the man had wanted to break into the tabernacle, but looked up at the statue of Mary and decided he couldn't do that to her."
Pope Francis presides over funeral of predecessor Benedict XVI as thousands mourn
The Vatican said some 50,000 people attended the Mass, after some 200,000 paid their respects during the three days of public viewing.
Tens of thousands view Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's body at Vatican
Vatican security officials estimated that by mid-afternoon Monday, some 40,000 people had filed by the retired pontiff's body.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s reported last words: ‘Lord, I love you’
The basilica is set to host Benedict’s coffin for three days of viewing that start Monday.
Benedict XVI: Tributes pour in for pope emeritus as Vatican plans 'simple' funeral
For all his accomplishments and accolades, Benedict will forever be known as the first pope in 600 years to resign.
Health of retired Pope Benedict XVI 'worsening,' Vatican says
Earlier Wednesday, Pope Francis asked the faithful to pray for Benedict and went to visit his predecessor in the monastery on Vatican grounds.
Pope Francis orders return of Parthenon Sculpture fragments to Greece
The Vatican on Friday termed the gesture a “donation” from the pope to His Beatitude Ieronymos II, the Orthodox Christian archbishop of Athens and all Greece.
NYC synagogue throws Christmas party
A group of Jews threw a Christmas party. It was for a good cause.
Ukrainians celebrate Christmas with the West, part with Russia
Yes, this has to do with the war, and yes, they have the blessing of their local church.
Pope laments 'icy winds of war' in Christmas address
"Indeed, we must acknowledge with sorrow that, even as the Prince of Peace is given to us, the icy winds of war continue to buffet humanity," Pope Francis said.
Pope on Christmas: Jesus was poor, so don't be power-hungry
During his homily Saturday evening, the pontiff hailed Jesus' birth in a stable and admonished people against being “ravenous” for power and wealth. He decried war, poverty, injustice and greedy consumerism.
Pope Francis warns Vatican staff the devil, an 'elegant demon,' lurks among them
Francis said Thursday that Vatican bureaucrats are in fact "in greater danger than all others, because we are beset by the ‘elegant demon’ who does not make a loud entrance, but comes with flowers in his hand.”
Mural honoring Holocaust hero unveiled in Manhattan
A building in Manhattan now features a mural honoring a man who stood up to fascism during World War II and is credited with helping save thousands of Jews.
Holocaust survivors share message of hope during Hanukkah
Holocaust survivors from around the globe are marking the third day of Hanukkah together with a virtual ceremony as Jews worldwide worry about a sharp increase in antisemitism in Europe, the U.S. and elsewhere.
'Bling Bishop' busted on fraud and extortion charges
A Brooklyn preacher, known as the so-called Bling Bishop due to his opulent lifestyle has been indicted for allegedly defrauding a parishioner out of her retirement savings and other charges.
NYC anti-Semitic incidents nearly doubled in 2022: NYPD
According to authorities, there have been 278 anti-Semitic incidents so far this year, compared to 182 last year, with 45 alone just this month, compared to 20 in November 2021.
Greek Orthodox church destroyed on 9/11 reopens
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine hosted its first service Tuesday, two decades after it was destroyed by the falling south tower of the World Trade Center on September 11.