Religion

Encore: The Rev. Howard-John Wesley on taking a break from the pulpit after 30 years

4:57pm April 13, 2022

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with the Rev. Howard-John Wesley of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., about his sabbatical, which coincided with the beginning of the pandemic.

In southern India, haleem is a cherished Ramadan tradition — and not just for Muslims

4:44pm April 13, 2022

by Sushmita Pathak

In southern India's Hyderabad, Ramadan means haleem: a spicy meat & lentil stew with Arab roots. In the past few decades, the dish has become a cherished Ramadan tradition, and not just for Muslims.

A menorah memorial at the entrance of the Drobitsky Yar Holocaust memorial outside Kharkiv, Ukraine, was damaged in Russian shelling last month.

Holocaust museums in 4 countries condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine as war crimes

1:40pm April 12, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

The group of 17 Holocaust museums from the U.S., U.K., Canada and South Africa are supporting an international investigation into whether Russia committed war crimes and genocide in Ukraine.

Pope Francis celebrates Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

In the Palm Sunday Mass, Pope Francis pushes for peace in Ukraine

9:23am April 10, 2022

by The Associated Press

Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass before crowds in St. Peter's Square for the first time since the pandemic, Pope Francis called for a truce.

Hebrew Union College may stop ordaining rabbis in the Midwest after 150 years

12:04pm April 09, 2022

by Jolene Almendarez

Cincinnati is the North American birthplace of Reform Judaism, largely because of the 1875 founding of Hebrew Union College. But the school's dwindling enrollment is forcing a difficult decision.

First Nations delegate calls Pope apology for residential schools 'healing'

5:02pm April 03, 2022

Pope Francis apologized for his Church's role in running Canadian boarding schools where Native kids were abused. NPR's Miles Parks speaks with Taylor Behn-Tsakoza, whose delegation met with the Pope.

Istanbul, Turkey: Muslim worshippers perform a night prayer called 'tarawih' during the eve of the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan at Hagia Sophia mosque on Friday, April 1, 2022.

See how almost a quarter of humanity ushered in Ramadan, their holiest month

5:24pm April 02, 2022

From sun-up to sundown, physically able Muslims will fast — abstaining not just from food but also so much as a sip of water.

Minneapolis makes inclusive changes for its Muslim population ahead of Ramadan

8:00am April 02, 2022

by Scott Simon

As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins, NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Imam Makram Nu'man El-Amin in Minneapolis about how the city has become more welcoming to its Muslim population.

Getting a kidney changed — and saved — a woman who didn't feel worthy of a transplant

4:27pm April 01, 2022

by Laurel Morales

A Flagstaff woman was reluctant to ask for a kidney donation because she didn't feel worthy. Eventually she did ask. And rather than feeling guilty, she was surprised by how grateful she now is.

Indigenous artists from across Canada perform in St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, on Friday after Pope Francis apologized for the Catholic Church's actions in Canadian residential schools.

The pope apologizes for abuse of Indigenous children in Canada's residential schools

4:05pm April 01, 2022

by Deepa Shivaram

Pope Francis met with Indigenous leaders and survivors of Canada's residential schools this week. He had expressed sorrow in the past on behalf of the church, but this is the first formal apology.