Religion
Pope ends Africa trip with giant mass in voodoo heartland
Pope Benedict XVI ended his second trip to Africa on Sunday with a mass for tens of thousands in the voodoo heartland of Benin and by issuing a grand vision for his Church's future on the continent.
Pope wheeled up St Peter's instead of walking
Pope Benedict was wheeled up the main aisle of St Peter's Basilica on a mobile platform at a ceremony on Sunday to spare him the unnecessary fatigue of walking, but the Vatican said there was no concern for his overall health.
Only One Jewish Resident Left in Afghanistan, Says US State Department
There is only “one known Jewish resident” still living in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. State Department.
Not a Single Christian Church Left in Afghanistan, Says US State Department
There is not a single, public Christian church left in Afghanistan, according to the U.S. State Department. This reflects the state of religious freedom in that country ten years after the United States first invaded it and overthrew its Islamist ...
Pope denounces "inhuman" mafia in southern Italy
Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday denounced the "inhuman" mafia that plagues southern Italy and urged residents there to respond to the region's suffering by caring for one another and the common good.
Iranian Pastor Sentenced to Death: Nadarkhani Refuses to Convert
Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who is facing the death penalty, again refused to convert to Islam to save his life. Nadarkhani was arrested in 2009 for the crime of apostasy because he allegedly abandoned Islam for Christianity. As a pastor, Ir...
Pope Benedict XVI met Friday with a group of people who had been sexually abused by clergy in his native Germany, where disenchantment with the Roman Catholic Church has grown in the wake of the scandal.
Pope to hold mass in Berlin's 'Hitler's Stadium'
Berlin's Olympic Stadium where Pope Benedict XVI will hold a giant mass Thursday is steeped in history, from the 1936 Games showcasing Hitler's dreams of racial supremacy to the 2006 World Cup final.
Why the kung-fu monks are losing their religion
The Buddhists of Shaolin gave the world its most deadly martial art. But now their gift has become a curse, writes Clifford Coonan
Storm lashes pope, pilgrims at youth festival
A violent storm lashed Pope Benedict XVI and around one million pilgrims at an open-air service in Madrid, forcing him to cut short his speech and drenching the faithful who had waited for hours in blistering heat.
Pope denounces 'disintegration' of Europe families
Pope Benedict XVI wrapped up his visit to Croatia on Sunday by denouncing the "disintegration" of family life in Europe and calling for couples to make a commitment to marry and have children, not just live together.
Muslim Group Offends Some Christians With Jesus Advertisements
“Jesus: A prophet of Islam” states the provocative tagline in a “public awareness” advertising campaign launched by a Muslim group in Australia’s largest city.
Hong Kong Has World's Second-Highest Shop Rents on Chinese Shopper Influx
Hong Kong overtook Sydney as the world’s second-most expensive city to lease shopping space after rents in the Chinese city surged 46 percent in the first quarter from the previous three months, according to CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. (CBG)
Shock after Dutch priest endorses pedophilia
The Dutch Catholic Church and the Salesian order are investigating revelations that a Salesian priest served on the board of a group that promotes pedophilia with the full knowledge of his boss.
Pope beatifies John Paul II before 1.5M faithful
Some 1.5 million pilgrims flooded Rome Sunday to watch Pope John Paul II move a step closer to sainthood in one of the largest Vatican Masses in history, an outpouring of adoration for a beloved and historic figure after years marred by church sca...
Pope John Paul II's body exhumed ahead of beatification
Pope John Paul II's coffin was exhumed on Friday ahead of his beatification as tens of thousands of people began arriving in Rome for one of the biggest events since his funeral in 2005.
"Technology can't replace God": Pope
Pope Benedict led Roman Catholics into Holy Week celebrations, telling a Palm Sunday crowd that man will pay the price for his pride if he believes technology can give him the powers of God.
China ordains new Vatican-approved Catholic bishop
China has ordained a new Catholic bishop approved by the Vatican for the first time since ties between the sides soured last year, according to church figures with knowledge of the events.
Surge in Satanism sparks rise in demand for exorcists, says Catholic Church
A surge in Satanism fuelled by the internet has led to a sharp rise in the demand for exorcists, the Roman Catholic Church has warned.
Iranian Video Says Islamic messiah is 'Near'
New evidence has emerged that the Iranian government sees the current unrest in the Middle East as a signal that the Mahdi--or Islamic messiah--is about to appear.