Religion

Convicted Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof told a federal judge Wednesday that he will not present evidence or witnesses in the penalty phase of his trial. Roof (pictured in 2015) faces the death penalty.

Charleston Shooter Won't Call Witnesses, Offer Evidence During Penalty Phase

4:05pm December 28, 2016

by Ammad Omar

Dylann Roof is facing the death penalty for the 2015 shooting rampage that killed nine black churchgoers. The self-avowed white supremacist also plans to represent himself.

Pope Francis' Causes Take On Greater Urgency

7:00am December 26, 2016

by Sylvia Poggioli

Pope Francis turned 80 years old earlier this month. This past year, the pope has focused on refugees, Christian unity and controversial reform within the church itself.

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For Pope Francis, A Year Of Reconciliation Abroad Amid Opposition At Home

12:12pm December 25, 2016

by Sylvia Poggioli

The pope worked to repair relations within the Christian world, but things were tougher in the Catholic world. A church historian says no other pope has met as much opposition from bishops and clergy.

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Pope Francis delivered his Christmas day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Sunday, before a crowd of some 40,000 people.

Pope Francis Offers A Message Of Peace In Annual Christmas Day Blessing

10:32am December 25, 2016

by Maggie Penman

Pope Francis offered a message of peace on Sunday to the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square in his annual Christmas blessing. He called for peace in Syria and other countries "scarred by war."

After Berlin Market Attack, Nearby Churchgoers Look For Compassion

8:56am December 25, 2016

There's a church right next to the Christmas Market attacked in Berlin last week. Yesterday, the Pastor there delivered his Christmas sermon.

Religion

Remembering Holocaust Hero Marion Pritchard

8:56am December 25, 2016

We remember Holocaust hero Marion Pritchard who died this month at the age of 96. She saved more than 100 Jews, many of them children, in her native Holland. Her son Ivor Pritchard shares stories.

After Ignoring Evangelical Voters In 2016, How Democrats Can 'Reclaim Hope'

8:56am December 25, 2016

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Michael Wear about how the Democrats lost so many Christian voters in 2016. Wear's book, "Reclaiming Hope," is about his work as Obama's faith outreach advisor.

'Chrismukkah': Interfaith Families Negotiate A Christmas-Hanukkah Combination

5:10pm December 24, 2016

by Deena Prichep

Navigating the holidays can be hard enough for interfaith families. But especially this year — when the first night of Hanukkah falls on Christmas Eve.

During the restoration work, this mosaic angel was discovered hidden under a layer of plaster.

PHOTOS: At Christmastime, Historic Bethlehem Church In Midst Of Restoration

4:53pm December 24, 2016

by Daniel Estrin

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is more than 1,500 years old and in the midst of a large restoration project, cleaning grime off mosaics and giving the church its first face-lift in centuries.

Jews commemorate Hanukkah by eating fried foods. For most American Jews, that means latkes — potato pancakes fried in oil. But other cultures toss different foods into pots of boiling oil. Take, for example, these fried and jam-filled doughnuts, called

Beyond Latkes: 8 Nights Of Fried Delights From Around The World

7:40am December 24, 2016

by Bonny Wolf

Jews commemorate Hanukkah by eating fried foods. For most American Jews, that means latkes — potato pancakes fried in oil. But other cultures toss different foods into pots of boiling oil.