Religion

India's Lower House passes controversial bill that would change Muslim land endowments

By Aijaz Hussain, Sheikh Saaliq, Associated Press

Indian parliament's Lower House has passed a controversial bill moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government to amend laws governing Muslim land endowments.

Court in Japan orders dissolution of Unification Church

By Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press

The Unification Church in Japan was ordered dissolved by a court after a government request spurred by the investigation into the 2022 assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Pope inhaled vomit after coughing fit, in setback from pneumonia recovery

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

The development marked a setback in what had been two successive days of increasingly upbeat reports from doctors treating Francis at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since Feb. 14.

Survey shows U.S. Christian population leveling off after declining for years

By Tiffany Stanley, Associated Press

The number of Americans who identify as Christian has declined steadily for years, but that drop shows signs of slowing.

What you need to know about Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake

By Mario Poceski, The Conversation

At its core, the Lunar New Year is a celebration that brings the family together.

WATCH: 'Have mercy' on LGBTQ+ communities and immigrants, Episcopal bishop asks Trump

By Associated Press

The Right Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, ended her sermon with a direct appeal to President Donald Trump.

Pope Francis names first woman to head major Vatican office

By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press

Pope Francis has named the first woman to head a major Vatican office. He is appointing Sister Simona Brambilla, an Italian nun, to become prefect of the Vatican department responsible for all the church's religious orders.

PHOTOS: Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations around the world

By Silvia Stellacci, Colleen Barry, Associated Press

Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Wednesday urged “all people of all nations” to find courage during this Holy Year “to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions” plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine,…

PHOTOS: Pope Francis marks Christmas by urging all nations to silence arms and overcome divisions

By Silvia Stellacci, Associated Press

"I invite every individual, and all people of all nations ... to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions," the pope said from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to throngs of people below.