Religion

The archbishop of Mosul, Najib Mikhael Moussa (left) waves as he stands next to Pope Francis at the start of a gathering to pray for the victims of war at the Hosh al-Bieaa Church Square, in Mosul, Iraq, once the de facto capital of ISIS on Sunday.

Pope Francis Visits Iraqi Region Where Cities And Lives Were Shattered By ISIS

9:27am March 07, 2021

by Alice Fordham

The pope spent the third day of his visit in the north of the country, where the Christian population is dwindling. He also prayed for the ethnic minority Yazidis, who were brutally targeted by ISIS.

Pope Francis Holds Historic Meeting With Grand Ayatollah On Second Day Of Iraq Trip

3:28pm March 06, 2021

by Sylvia Poggioli

On the second of a three-day trip to Iraq, Pope Francis is focusing on interfaith relations as he meets with Muslim leaders and visits a church in Baghdad.

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The Dalai Lama leaves the Zonal Hospital in Dharmsala, India, on Saturday after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Dalai Lama Gets A COVID-19 Shot And Urges Others To Get Vaccinated

3:01pm March 06, 2021

by Yuki Noguchi

The 85-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader scrapped plans to receive the injection at home, opting instead to travel to a clinic. "More people should have courage to take this injection," he said.

Biden Has Overturned Trump's 'Muslim Travel Ban.' Activists Say That's Not Enough

2:21pm March 06, 2021

NPR's Scott Simon asks Iman Awad of Emgage Action what advocates want the Biden administration to do after repealing the travel ban that primarily affected Muslim-majority and African countries.

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Pope Francis meets with Iraq's leading Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the city of Najaf, Iraq, on March 6, 2021.

Pope Holds Historic Meeting With Iraq's Top Shiite Cleric, Preaches Message Of Unity

1:28pm March 06, 2021

by Alice Fordham

On the second day of a landmark trip to Iraq, Pope Francis traveled to the the city of Najaf to meet Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, before visiting what is believed to be the birthplace of Abraham.

Pope Francis Welcomed With Red Carpet And Military Band On First Ever Trip To Iraq

4:56pm March 05, 2021

by Sylvia Poggioli

The Vatican has sought to make a papal trip to Iraq, the traditional home of Abraham and now a shrinking Christian minority, since 2000. Pope Francis ended his first day there with religious leaders.

Pope Francis arrives at Baghdad International Airport on Friday for the first-ever papal visit to Iraq.

'I Come As A Pilgrim': Pope Francis Begins Historic Visit To Iraq

3:03pm March 05, 2021

by Alice Fordham

The pontiff arrived at Baghdad International Airport where he was greeted by the prime minister. During his four-day visit, Francis will focus on Iraq's ancient but dwindling Christian community.

Despite Security And COVID-19 Issues, Pope Francis Will Travel To Iraq

8:51am March 04, 2021

by Sylvia Poggioli

Pope Francis starts a four-day visit to Iraq on Friday. It's the first such papal visit. The goal is to strengthen local Christian communities and build dialogue with Muslims.

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News Brief: In-Person Classes, Capitol Security, Pope's Iraq Trip

5:52am March 04, 2021

Federal efforts aim to help schools reopen. Tighten security follows reports extremists may try again to breach the U.S. Capitol. Pope Francis on Friday will become the first pope to visit Iraq.

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A health care worker holds a vial of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, N.Y., on Wednesday.

Church Leaders Say Johnson & Johnson Shot Should Be Avoided If Alternatives Available

10:32pm March 03, 2021

by Tom Gjelten

U.S. Catholic bishops say the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines did not use abortion-derived fetal cell lines, but that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is acceptable, if it's the only available option.

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