Latest Religion News

From Bach to Beyonce, why a church orchestra aims to lift up young musicians of color

Nov. 30, 2024 08:41 AM EST

ANAHEIM, California (AP) — For over two years, Ebonie Vazquez searched to find a mentor of color for her son, Giovanni, now 11 and passionate about playing the violin. She has now found that space at a local church. New Hope Presbyterian Church, a multiethnic congregation led by a...

'AI Jesus' avatar tests man's faith in machines and the divine

Nov. 28, 2024 14:51 PM EST

LUCERNE, Switzerland (AP) — Would you trust an “AI Jesus” with your innermost thoughts and troubles? Researchers and religious leaders on Wednesday released findings from a two-month experiment through art in a Catholic chapel in Switzerland, where an avatar of “Jesus” on...

Notre Dame primps for its grand post-blaze return. But why does the cathedral look unfinished?

Nov. 28, 2024 10:33 AM EST

PARIS (AP) — The bells of Notre Dame are chiming again, but scaffolding still clinging to the cathedral's exterior is puzzling some Parisians, who question whether its grand post-blaze reopening is more symbolic than substantive. When French President Emmanuel Macron inspects the...

Pope hopes to visit Turkey in 2025 to mark 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea

Nov. 28, 2024 10:19 AM EST

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis said on Thursday that he hopes to travel to Turkey next year to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Christianity’s first ecumenical council. The visit to Nicaea, today located in İznik on a lake southeast of Istanbul, would come...

Who are the Border Patrol chaplains? And why does the agency need more of them now?

Nov. 27, 2024 15:43 PM EST

DANIA BEACH, Florida (AP) — Border Patrol agents are tasked with enforcing hotly contested immigration policies as many Americans at both ends of the political spectrum look askance at the border — and the agents. That's taking a mounting toll, so the agency is training more...

Border Patrol trains more chaplains as the job and polarizing immigration debate rattle agents

Nov. 27, 2024 09:52 AM EST

DANIA BEACH, Florida (AP) — As immigration remains a hotly contested priority for the Trump administration after playing a decisive role in the deeply polarized election, the Border Patrol agents tasked with enforcing many of its laws are wrestling with growing challenges on and off the job. ...

A Catholic family's answer to opposing abortion: adopt, foster and vote

Nov. 27, 2024 08:27 AM EST

SUNBURY, Ohio (AP) — For the Young family in rural Sunbury, Ohio, activism begins at home. The conservative Catholic family chooses to live their anti-abortion beliefs through adoption, foster-parenting and raising their children to believe in the sanctity of life. They're also...

Vatican and Microsoft create AI-generated St. Peter's Basilica to allow virtual visits, log damage

Nov. 27, 2024 04:38 AM EST

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican and Microsoft on Monday unveiled a digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica that uses artificial intelligence to explore one of the world’s most important monument’s while helping the Holy See manage visitor flows and identify conservation problems. ...

Bangladeshi court denies bail to Hindu leader who led rallies for minority protection

Nov. 27, 2024 00:43 AM EST

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A prominent Bangladeshi Hindu leader who has been leading rallies demanding security for Hindus in the overwhelmingly Muslim nation was ordered detained on charges of sedition Tuesday. The magistrate court of Kazi Shariful Islam denied bail to Krishna Das...

Turkey reportedly arrested suspects in Israeli-Moldovan rabbi's killing in UAE as they left airport

Nov. 26, 2024 21:24 PM EST

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Turkish security forces arrested the three Uzbek suspects in the killing of a rabbi in the United Arab Emirates as they left an airport in Istanbul, local media reported Wednesday. The arrest of the Uzbeks suspected of killing Israeli-Moldovan...