Jewish leaders mark first Sabbath since Texas synagogue hostage siege

Jewish leaders marked the first Sabbath since last weekend's hostage-taking at Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, with a show of defiance against it and other acts of antisemitism.

Pope Francis baptizes 16 babies in Sistine Chapel after pandemic break

Pope Francis baptized 16 babies in the Sistine Chapel Sunday, resuming a decades-old Vatican tradition that had been interrupted last year by the pandemic.

Pope Francis starts new year with call to protect women, focus on the good

Pope Francis has used his New Year's Day appearances to encourage people to focus on the good which unites them and to decry violence against women.

Anti-Semitic stickers put up 'throughout' Manhattan Beach: police

Manhattan Beach police are looking for information about whoever placed anti-Semitic stickers across the city Wednesday night.Officers and Manhattan Beach Public Works are in the process of taking the stickers down.

Pope Francis celebrates 85th birthday as reform hits stride

Pope Francis turns 85 on Dec. 17, a milestone as he continues efforts to make the Catholic Church more attuned to the laity.

Pope Francis addresses nun abuse detailed in investigative expose

During an audience with members of the Vatican’s congregation for religious orders, Pope Francis cited a new investigative expose of the problem written by a reporter for the Holy See’s media, Salvatore Cernuzio.

Lakewood Church money: Plumber who found cash, checks in wall to get $20K

Crime Stoppers of Houston is gifting $20,000 to the plumber who found a large amount of money inside of a wall at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church last month. Police believe the money is connected to a theft case from 2014.

‘Chanukah Sameach’ : Biden recognizes Hanukkah  2021 with well wishes

“From our family to yours, and from the People’s House to your own homes, Jill and I wish you and your loved ones a Chanukah Sameach, a Happy Hanukkah!” President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Survey: Few Americans blame God for COVID-19 pandemic, other tragedies

A large majority of U.S. adults believe that most of the suffering in the world comes from people rather than from God, according to surveys from the Pew Research Center.

Diwali 2021: What to know about the festival of lights

The Hindu festival of Diwali, which symbolizes new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, is being celebrated by millions across the world.

Biden receives Communion in Rome amid abortion debate in US

While President Joe Biden regularly receives Communion in his home dioceses in Washington and Delaware, it was significant that he also received Communion in Rome.

Biden: Pope Francis told him he should 'keep receiving communion'

President Joe Biden said the issue of abortion did not come up in his meeting with Pope Francis, but that the pontiff said he should keep receiving Communion.

Pope expresses 'shame' at scale of child sex abuse by clergy in France

Pope Francis expressed “shame” over a report that estimated some 330,000 French children were abused by clergy and other church authority figures.

Los Angeles County to pay $400,000 to Sun Valley church that defied COVID rules

Los Angeles County has already spent more than $950,000 in attorneys fees and other costs in the case of Grace Community Church, according to a legal summary provided to the County Board of Supervisors.

Facebook's new prayer tool arrives to mixed reception

Users who are members of faith-based Facebook groups will find an option allowing them to request prayers and other group members will be able to respond via the “I prayed” icon.

Former DC archbishop Theodore McCarrick charged with abusing minor: report

The Associated Press reports that defrocked Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who served as archbishop of Washington, D.C. from 2001 to 2006, is facing charges in the 1970s sexual assault of teen.