Religion

Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Easter Sunday Mass, inside an empty St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Sunday, April 12, 2020.

Religion

Pope Francis Praises The 'Contagion Of Hope' In Easter Message

5:14pm April 12, 2020

by Matthew S. Schwartz

In a surreal Easter service, Pope Francis delivered his remarks to a nearly empty basilica, saying the world is "oppressed by a pandemic severely testing our whole human family."

Church Leaders Adapt Easter Sermon For Pandemic Times

4:55pm April 12, 2020

Many churches livestreamed Easter services this year, and some pastors tailored their messages to address the coronavirus.

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Faith Leaders Share Experiences During An Unusual Easter

4:55pm April 12, 2020

NPR's Tom Gjelten speaks with three faith leaders about how the coronavirus has affected their congregations: Father Carl Beekman, Pastor Cheryl Matthews and Pastor Kenneth Flowers.

Easter Worship During Coronavirus: Empty Pews At The Vatican

1:32pm April 12, 2020

Pope Francis celebrates Easter before empty pews at St. Peter's Basilica.

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The thumb of the Rev. Patrick Conroy, chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, is stained from ashes he made this year for Ash Wednesday.

Religion

Finding Community Among The Ashes: How Faith Reaches Across Distance

11:43am April 12, 2020

by Claire Wallace

Photographer Greg Miller has spent over 20 years documenting Catholics on Ash Wednesday. As Lent comes to an end, his photos highlight the power of the bonds of faith.

A medical worker transports a patient at Mount Sinai on Wednesday in New York, during a week that saw a record number of coronavirus deaths.

'Mourning In Isolation': Chaplain Tries To Comfort Families Of COVID-19 Patients

3:26pm April 10, 2020

by David Greene

For many families, the only connection they have to a loved one in their final moments is to a hospital chaplain. For COVID-19 patients at New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital, that's Rocky Walker.

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Felipe Samaniego officiates at a Roman Catholic Mass, streamed via Facebook from the Santo Tomás Moro church on Palm Sunday, in Monterrey, Mexico.

Mexico's Virtual Catholic Passion Plays Get Creative

3:15pm April 10, 2020

by Carrie Kahn

With the country shut down for the month of April, Roman Catholic churches are bringing their Holy Week celebrations online to continue rituals and reach the faithful.

Religion

Hospital Chaplain Discusses Ministry And Easter Celebration During Pandemic

10:03pm April 09, 2020

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Rev. Radu Titonea, a hospital chaplain in Queens, N.Y., about ministry and the celebration of holy days during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Mormons Have Long Preached Preparedness — Which Is Coming In Handy Now

5:42pm April 09, 2020

by Sonja Hutson

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long mandated that all members maintain months of food and supplies — in part to help less-prepared neighbors.

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Nearing Anniversary Of Devastating Fire, Notre Dame To Host A Good Friday Service

5:33pm April 09, 2020

by Eleanor Beardsley

April 15 will mark the first anniversary of the fire that ripped through the cathedral. The Paris archbishop says he wants to send a "message of hope" through a small Good Friday service.