Watch Night service: How the tradition for Black Americans has evolved since 1862

Watch Night services, which date back to the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, are still observed on New Year's Eve at many multiracial and predominately Black churches in the US.

Grand Canyon University accused of deceptive advertising, illegal telemarketing by FTC

Grand Canyon University is facing a new legal fight with the federal government as the FTC is accusing the country's largest Christian university of deceptive advertising and illegal telemarketing practices.

Rapper Ye issues a Hebrew apology for previous antisemitic comments

The rapper formerly known as Kanye West, who has a long history of making antisemitic comments, apologized to the Jewish community in an Instagram post written in Hebrew on Tuesday.

Pope Francis, in Christmas Day blessing, begs for Israel-Hamas cease-fire

Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, “is a place of sorrow and silence" this year, Pope Francis lamented as he pleaded for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Pope Francis says priests can bless same-sex unions, requests shouldn't be matter of moral analysis

The Vatican issued a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis" to receive it.

Pope Francis celebrates birthday amid church reforms, health concerns

Pope Francis turned 87 on Sunday, closing out a year that saw big milestones in his efforts to reform the Catholic Church as well as health scares that raise questions about his future as pope.

Satanic Temple display destroyed at Iowa capitol; former Navy fighter pilot charged

Michael Cassidy, a former Mississippi statehouse candidate, is charged with criminal mischief for reportedly destroying the Satanic Temple display in Iowa's capitol building.

Virginia senator tells Pope Francis to slow his roll on AI regulation

The United States is not ready to join a binding treaty proposed by Pope Francis to regulate artificial intelligence on a global scale, a top Senate Democrat says. 

Harvard president to remain in position following backlash on antisemitism testimony

Harvard President Claudine Gay will remain leader of the prestigious Ivy League school following her comments last week at a congressional hearing on antisemitism.

Biden to host Hanukkah ceremony at White House amid fears of rising antisemitism

Antisemitism has only intensified since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and other militants sparked Israel's ongoing war in Gaza -- which faces heightened criticism for the mounting Palestinian death toll.

LDS Church selects British man for top governing body

The faith known widely as the Mormon Church has selected a new member for its top governing body.

Phoenix Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah
video

The Phoenix Jewish community shared how rising anti Semitism isn't stopping them from celebrating this holiday season.

Group of swing state Muslims vows to ditch Biden in 2024 over his war stance

Leaders from Michigan, Minnesota, Arizona, Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Pennsylvania gathered behind a lectern that read “Abandon Biden, ceasefire now" in Dearborn, Michigan, the city with the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the United States.

Pope Francis undergoes hospital checkup after coming down with the flu

Pope Francis went to the hospital Saturday for tests after he came down with the flu, but the results ruled out any respiratory problems, the Vatican said.

Native American tribes fight US over a proposed $10B renewable energy transmission line

Work on a $10 billion project that will funnel renewable energy across the West was halted in southwestern Arizona, with Native American tribes saying the federal government has ignored concerns about effects that the SunZia transmission line will have on religious and cultural sites.