RNS
LightNews LightNews
banner
rns.org
RNS
@rns.org
8.4K followers 29 following 8K posts
Covering the world of religion. https://rns.org
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
rns.org
RNS @rns.org · Nov 14
RNS is an independent nonprofit dedicated to shining a light on the ways religion and faith shape our world. Your support helps power our newsroom: rns.org/donate
rns.org
Synagogues in New York and London that held informational events about Jewish immigration to Israel drew passionate protests from pro-Palestine and anti-Zionist groups last week.
religionnews.com/2025/11/25/p...
Pro-Israel synagogue events prompt fiery protests
LONDON (RNS) — Synagogues holding informational gatherings about immigration to Israel have become a flashpoint in New York and London.
religionnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:00 AM
rns.org
Each week, RNS presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. This week’s gallery includes a pre-Advent feast and a Nepalese festival remembering departed family members.
religionnews.com/2025/11/25/p...
Photos of the Week: Pre-Advent feast, Nepalese festival
(RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes a pre-Advent feast and a Nepalese festival remembering departed family members.
religionnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:00 AM
rns.org
As Pope Leo prepares to embark on his first trip abroad with a visit to Turkey, there has been a surge of renewed optimism over the possible reopening of a Greek Orthodox religious seminary that has been closed since 1971.
Optimism ahead of pope's visit to Turkey for reopening of Istanbul's Greek Orthodox seminary
HEYBELIADA, Turkey (AP) — The Halki Theological School has become a symbol of Orthodox heritage and a focal point in the push for religious freedoms in Turkey.
religionnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
rns.org
OPINION: When Jews see what happened outside Park East Synagogue, and those protesters’ fellow haters on the left and the right, it reminds them of why Zionism was necessary in the first place.
What Mamdani missed about the Manhattan synagogue protest
(RNS) — When Jew-haters take to the streets, they remind us of why Israel was necessary in the first place.
religionnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:00 AM
rns.org
In a new document, the Vatican warns against the spread of “polyamory” and non-exclusive relationships in the West, insisting monogamy remains central to human dignity and Christian marriage.
Vatican rejects polygamy and polyamory in sweeping doctrinal praise of monogamy
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Vatican’s new doctrinal note sharply rejects polygamy and growing Western polyamory, praising monogamy as an exclusive union between one man and one woman.
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
rns.org
“It’s the women who suffer most in the aftermath of riots,” said Aasif Mujtaba, the center's founder. “I wanted a place where women could express themselves freely and rebuild their identities.”
Survivors of Hindu-Muslim riots find healing in women's empowerment
(RNS) — 'It’s the women who suffer most in the aftermath of riots,' said the center's founder. 'I wanted a place where women could express themselves freely and rebuild their identities.'
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:00 PM
rns.org
Pope Leo XIV on Saturday accepted the resignation of an ailing Spanish bishop who is under church investigation for allegedly sexually abusing a young seminarian in the 1990s, the first known time the new pontiff removed a bishop accused of abuse.
religionnews.com/2025/11/24/p...
Pope Leo XIV accepts resignation of Spanish bishop accused of abuse in first known case for pontiff
ROME (AP) — A one-line statement from the Vatican said Leo had accepted the resignation of Cádiz Bishop Rafael Zornoza, 76.
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:00 PM
rns.org
Israel’s military on Saturday launched airstrikes against Hamas militants in Gaza in the latest test of the ceasefire that began on Oct. 10. Health officials in Gaza reported at least 24 people killed and another 54 wounded, including children.
religionnews.com/2025/11/24/i...
Israel launches strikes in Gaza ceasefire's latest test as hospitals say 24 killed
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel has previously carried out similar waves of strikes after reported attacks on its forces during the ceasefire.
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:00 PM
rns.org
While Americans are recovering from their Thanksgiving dinners, Pope Leo will be flying to Turkey and then Lebanon. His first international trip, these five days abroad will show whether Leo is ready for primetime on a global stage.
religionnews.com/2025/11/24/p...
Pope to be tested on first trip to Turkey and Lebanon
(RNS) — I don’t expect a home run on his first time at bat, but neither will he strike out.
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:02 PM
rns.org
Have you played today's games? Test your skills at rns.org/games
November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
rns.org
Catholic universities are adapting fast. But are they losing something essential? Join RNS on Dec. 4 for an in-depth conversation. Register now! us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
rns.org
Pope Leo told U.S. teens not to categorize faith by politics: “The church doesn’t belong to any political party.” He called young Catholics “the present of the church” and urged them to be “peacemakers” in a polarized culture.
religionnews.com/2025/11/21/a...
AI, partisanship and friendship: Pope Leo’s big messages to America’s Catholic youth
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Speaking to 16,000 teens, Pope Leo warned not to outsource thinking to AI. 'Don’t ask it to do your homework,' he said.
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:04 PM
rns.org
OPINION: Have we become so enamored with access — to influence, wealth, power — that we neglected the very old Jewish instinct that is the courage to say no?
religionnews.com/2025/11/21/b...
Why did so many influential Jews dine with bin Salman at the White House?
(RNS) — Have we become so enamored with access — to influence, wealth, power — that we neglected the very old Jewish instinct that is the courage to say no?
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM
rns.org
The lawsuit argues that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott improperly used his office to target the domestic nonprofit without due process and in violation of federal law.
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/m...
Muslim civil rights group sues Texas governor after terrorist accusation
(RNS) — The federal lawsuit argues that Abbott improperly used his office to target the domestic nonprofit without due process and in violation of federal law.
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:02 PM
rns.org
Marouf was arrested by ICE agents after his green card was denied over donations more than 20 years ago to the Holy Land Foundation, a defunct Muslim charity whose leaders were convicted of having ties with Hamas.
religionnews.com/2025/11/21/d...
ICE to deport Dallas Muslim community leader Marwan Marouf
(RNS) — Marouf was arrested by ICE agents after his green card was denied over donations more than 20 years ago to the Holy Land Foundation, a defunct Muslim charity whose leaders were convicted of…
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
rns.org
OPINION: The emphasis on the Pilgrims’ 1620 landing and 1621 feast erased a great deal of religious history and narrowed conceptions of who belongs in America – at times excluding groups such as Native Americans, Catholics and Jews.
religionnews.com/2025/11/17/h...
How the Plymouth Pilgrims took over Thanksgiving – and who history left behind
(The Conversation) — In some ways, Thanksgiving is a tradition that unites Americans. But the classic image of the Pilgrims obscures important parts of the country’s story.
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
rns.org
OPINION: If you want cover for rolling back climate initiatives, few one-liners do as much work as calling them religious.
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/4...
The theology of climate denial comes to the Pentagon
(RNS) — If you want cover for rolling back climate initiatives, few one-liners do as much work as calling them religious.
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
rns.org
Prosecutors described Chkhikvishvili as the leader of the Maniac Murder Cult, an international extremist group that adheres to an ideology that promotes violence intended to trigger a racial and religious war.
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/n...
Neo-Nazi leader admits plot to give poisoned candy to Jewish kids in New York City
NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors said they would seek a sentence of up to 18 years for Michail Chkhikvishvili, a 22-year-old from the Republic of Georgia who goes by the nickname “Commander…
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
rns.org
When filmmaker Lotfy Nathan was introduced to the apocryphal text about Jesus’ childhood by his history-loving father, he immediately began poring over it as a springboard for what would eventually become “The Carpenter’s Son."
religionnews.com/2025/11/17/n...
Nicolas Cage's 'The Carpenter's Son' turns an apocryphal text about Jesus' youth into a horror film
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The film, which stars FKA twigs and Noah Jupe alongside Cage, follows Jesus as a young boy being tempted by Satan to rebel against his father, Joseph.
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM
rns.org
OPINION: We’re almost a year into the second Trump administration, and it’s hard to keep up with the escalating spiral of violence: against immigrants, student activists, even random fishermen in the Caribbean.
religionnews.com/2025/11/19/h...
How immigrants, student protesters and Muslims became the lepers of our time
(RNS) — Christian nationalism’s enemies have a strange tendency to muddle together into a single existential threat to the American way of life.
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
rns.org
Bishop Mark Stevenson didn’t specify which assets would allow the diocese to meet its financial commitment, arguing that revealing commercial real estate details could negatively affect negotiations and jeopardize sales.
religionnews.com/2025/11/19/v...
Virginia's Episcopal bishop says diocese identified sources for $10M reparations fund
(RNS) — The announcement came after former Racial Reparations Task Force members expressed doubts over the diocese’s commitment to deliver on its 2021 promise and uncertainty about its ability to…
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:30 PM
rns.org
This week, Katelyn and Roxy are joined by Karen Swallow Prior to discuss all the different ways callings can present themselves in our lives. (That’s right – callings, plural!). Listen now!
religionnews.com/2025/11/20/m...
Millennial Christians Were Set Up for Burnout + Karen Swallow Prior
Katelyn and Roxy examine the impulse to elevate paid work to sacred calling — how it has served us and how it has hurt us.
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
rns.org
Though President Donald Trump’s gains with Hispanic Christians were a crucial part of his winning coalition in the 2024 election, those gains are showing signs of eroding.
religionnews.com/2025/11/24/l...
Study: Latino Christians disapprove of Trump, hit hard by mass deportation campaign
(RNS) — Those opinions are being shaped as a majority of Latino Christians are witnessing the impacts of Trump’s mass deportation campaign in their own neighborhoods.
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:00 AM
rns.org
With the recent return of all living hostages, a question has emerged: What should be done with these deeply valued symbols and rituals that have played a role in the lives of Israeli and diaspora Jews over more than two years?
religionnews.com/2025/11/24/w...
With surviving hostages home, some consider how to continue marking Oct. 7 in Jewish faith
JERUSALEM (RNS) — 'These symbols represent the struggle and pain and trauma that Jews have been going through,' said Rabbi Anina Dassa. 'Throwing them out would be doing a disservice and would not…
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:00 AM
rns.org
Schools that sign the compact would agree to a five-year freeze on tuition and agree to reform or abolish “institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas.”
religionnews.com/2025/11/24/a...
A Seventh-day Adventist HBCU wants to sign Trump’s compact to reform colleges
(RNS) — The president of Oakwood University, a faith-based HBCU, said the school wants to sign on to the Trump administration's Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education — if the DOE makes…
religionnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:00 AM