NEWS OF THE WEEK
In another nod to austerity, Pope Francis has given up the summer residence popes have used for nearly 400 years. Without ever having spent a night there, the pope has ordered the palace and gardens at Castel Gandolfo to be … More
Brigham Young University, the country’s preeminent Mormon university, announced a new policy regarding sexual assault. Students who report sexual assault will no longer face the possibility of punishment for honor code violations, such as drinking or extramarital sex. The change … More
Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali (October 30-November 3). This joyous holiday is often marked by gifts of dried fruit and nuts, and fireworks and other lights. Protestants observe Reformation Sunday (October 30), commemorating Martin Luther’s … More
After another acrimonious debate this week, the presidential candidates appeared together Thursday night (October 20) at the annual Al Smith dinner hosted by Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. The dinner raises money for children’s … More
A new Public Religion Research Institute poll out this week found that most Americans—61 percent—say personal immorality does not disqualify public officials from carrying out their duties ethically. Five years ago, only 44 percent agreed. The most dramatic change was … More
The Anti-Defamation League released a new report documenting a flood of anti-Semitic posts on Twitter this election season, much of it targeting Jewish journalists. The ADL studied almost 20,000 anti-Jewish tweets directed at some 800 journalists. The group said the … More
The Jesuits, the world’s single largest Roman Catholic order, have elected a new leader, and like Pope Francis, he’s from Latin America. Reverend Arturo Sosa is 67 years old and from Venezuela. He will lead nearly 17,000 Jesuits worldwide.
In St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis canonized seven new saints. Among them was an Argentine priest who ministered to the poor and a 14-year-old Mexican boy martyred for refusing to renounce his faith. In all, two martyrs, four priests, and … More
Several senior cardinals in Rome are upset about plans to open a new McDonald’s restaurant around the corner from the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica. The fast-food outlet, or McVatican as some have called it, would be built in a … More
Syria and Russia agreed to halt their airstrikes in Aleppo in order to allow civilians and rebels to flee. Heavy Russian and Syrian bombing has recently hit hospitals and killed hundreds of civilians. Some say, despite the ceasefire, aid is … More
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