Religion

Pope Francis went to a hospital in Rome Wednesday for abdominal surgery. He's seen here in the popemobile, leaving his general audience at St. Peter's Square in The Vatican before heading to the hospital.

Pope Francis will remain in hospital after a hernia-related surgery in Rome

1:48pm June 07, 2023

by Bill Chappell

The pope underwent "a laparotomy and abdominal wall surgery under general anesthesia" on Wednesday, the Holy See's official news portal says. The pope had complained of abdominal pain on Tuesday.

A national initiative called Faith for Pride wants religious groups and houses of worship that support LGBTQ rights to show up at Pride events this month.

Why you might notice more religious groups at Pride celebrations this year

10:19am June 07, 2023

by Jason DeRose

Some people of faith are organizing a pushback against the wave of anti-LGBTQ rights legislation making its way through state houses this year. They're calling it Faith for Pride.

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Katherine May's new book examines the idea of awakening wonder in an "anxious age."

How to hold onto a sense of wonder

12:55pm June 05, 2023

by Rachel Martin

Katherine May's new book examines the idea of awakening wonder in an "anxious age." And when I tell you that I dog-eared almost every page in this book, I'm telling God's honest truth.

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Hundreds of people are set to sue the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore for sex abuse

4:38pm June 02, 2023

by Scott Maucione

States are rethinking how long victims can seek damages for sex abuse. Maryland abolished its civil statute of limitations as hundreds of people prepare to sue the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Actor Jeff Hiller feels fortunate to play a character who is both queer and religious

4:08pm June 01, 2023

NPR's Rachel Martin talks with the actor Jeff Hiller about how his character on HBO's Somebody Somewhere reflects some of his own personal spiritual journey.

The plan to remove a mosque's domes in China sparks rare protest

4:24pm May 31, 2023

by Emily Feng

Hundreds of people gathered outside a mosque in southwestern China. They were protesting the planned removal of the mosque's domes, part of a nationwide campaign to eliminate Islamic influences.

New plaques give names to those buried at New York State prisons

8:06am May 28, 2023

by Matt Katz

In New York, gravestones of people who died in prison only identified them by number. Now that's changing after a pastor and another formerly incarcerated man argued the dead deserved to be named.

From left: Paul Thureen, Bridget Everett, Jeff Hiller, Murray Hill, Mary Catherine Garrison and Hannah Bos attend the Somebody Somewhere NewFest Special Screening in April.

Playing a religious character without making faith the punchline

6:00am May 28, 2023

by Rachel Martin

There was something revelatory about the way the HBO show Somebody Somewhere gently hold the spiritual identity of one of its characters. It wasn't a punchline.

Religion

A survivor of abuse by a Catholic priest in Chicago shares his experience

7:57am May 27, 2023

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon speaks to journalist Dan Ronan, who was sexually abused as a child by a Catholic priest in Chicago. A recently released report details widespread misconduct by Illinois clergy.

The Rev. Ed McKinney, pastor of Stokesdale United Methodist Church and Michael Hahn pose for a photo at the church in Stokesdale, N.C.

Religion

Some worshippers switching congregations amid United Methodist split over LGBTQ issues

4:57pm May 25, 2023

by Peter Smith and Holly Meyer, Associated Press

Thousands of United Methodist congregations have been voting on whether to stay or quit one of the nation’s largest denominations amid intractable debates over theology and the role of LGBTQ people. There are stark differences over recognizing same-sex marriage and ordaining LGBTQ clergy. More than 400 congregations have disaffiliated in North Carolina.