RNS Morning Report - Religious Democrats prepare to turn election victories into legislative action

Top Stories Religious Democrats prepare to turn election victories into legislative action (RNS) — Newly elected lawmakers are setting their priorities as progressive faith groups press Congress to act on voting rights, healthcare and economic inequality. Music videos, remodeling and backup plans: Chiclayo prepares for Pope Leo’s return CHICLAYO, Peru (RNS) — Local businesses are displaying cardboard cutouts of the pope and welcome banners, schools are putting together special projects and local vendors are preparing to sell to the crowds that will soon descend on Chiclayo. Counterprotesters rally in support of Philadelphia Jewish restaurants during boycott ride (RNS) — A bicycle ‘boycott ride’ targeting six Jewish-owned restaurants in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square turned into a ‘food crawl’ with hundreds of supporters lining up to order breakfast and lunch fare. Bystanders defend Seattle Diwali celebration targeted by far-right agitators (RNS) — Far-right agitators disrupted a Seattle Diwali celebration. Bystanders of all backgrounds banded together to push them out. Opinion Façade or true belief? Elizabeth Holmes, Nathan Fielder and that cross necklace (RNS) — The one scene in ‘You Can See Everything’ I still can't shake. In Philadelphia, love defeats an anti-Jewish rally (RNS) — Sometimes, hatred loses. That is what just happened in Philadelphia. ICYMI Argentina’s Milei embraces Pope Leo XIV, who pushes him on austerity BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (RNS) — In his speech, Leo emphasized a number of public policy priorities, including many that Milei has made cuts to, though Leo did not directly criticize the president. ‘Indian Christmas:’ Hindus celebrate and mourn the commercialization of Diwali (RNS) — Big-box retailers and luxury brands have embraced the Hindu festival of lights. But some question whether the five-day spiritual festival is being flattened into a glitzy shopping season. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

Copyright © 2026 Religion News Service, All rights reserved.

Top PC(USA) News of the Week: Election Prayer, Blueprint for Freedom, Letters of Protest, Hope in Hymn-writing, & Coffee and Spirituality

Week of November 2-6, 2026

On the eve of Tuesday’s election, Presbyterians gather online to pray More than 300 register for a vigil that centers reading Scripture, singing and praying

Shared values between folks in the Twin Cities and Ukrainians Historian Timothy Snyder packs Westminster Presbyterian Church for his ‘A Blueprint for Freedom’ talk

This month in Presbyterian history Letters of protest, a Thanksgiving hymn, and a survey of Lane Theological Seminary's land

Leafing through the hymnal Noted hymnwriter and scholar Dr. David Bjorlin is the most recent guest on the ‘Sounding Board’ podcast

Coffee and spirituality During a Leader Formation webinar, the Rev. Amos Méndez serves up tasty cups of eachr

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202

RNS Morning Report - Argentina’s Milei embraces Pope Leo XIV, who pushes him on austerity

Top Stories Argentina’s Milei embraces Pope Leo XIV, who pushes him on austerity BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (RNS) – In his speech, Leo emphasized a number of public policy priorities, including many that Milei has made cuts to, though Leo did not directly criticize the president. ‘Indian Christmas:’ Hindus celebrate and mourn the commercialization of Diwali (RNS) — Big-box retailers and luxury brands have embraced the Hindu festival of lights. But some question whether the five-day spiritual festival question is being flattened into a glitzy shopping season. In Uruguay, Pope Leo XIV greets Latin America’s most secular country MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (RNS) — Religiously unaffiliated Uruguayans told RNS they retain a mix of skepticism and hope that the visit will bring some benefit to the country. Rabbis who came to help Palestinians pick olives say they found a community under siege (RNS) — For a Rabbis for Ceasefire delegation to the West Bank, the past week-and-a-half offered an up-close look at what they described as Israeli efforts to disrupt — if not destroy — a critical economic and cultural lifeline for Palestinian farmers. Secular voters are increasing. Can ‘the nones’ become a political force? (RNS) — In the 2026 midterms, the Rev. Adam Hamilton and James Talarico emphasized their Christian faith but won stronger support among nonreligious voters than among Christians. Gov. Shapiro calls Philadelphia bike ride protest targeting Jewish-owned businesses ‘blatant antisemitism’ (RNS) — Organizers of the “Boycott Ride” said on Instagram that the cycling demonstration is intended to show pro-Palestinian solidarity and protest six businesses, which they say are “Zionist establishments.” Pope Leo XIV calls for universal access to health care in Uruguay VATICAN CITY (RNS) – Opening his Latin America trip in Montevideo, Leo drew on his recent illness and a monument dedicated to Uruguay’s national hero to urge leaders to care for those who need it most. Opinion Captain Picard Was Wrong About AI Personhood (RNS) — The race to create AI 'persons' is a danger to our moral landscape. Federal action banning it is needed. Russell Brand, convicted of rape, told us who he was. Why didn’t Christian leaders listen? (RNS) — After Brand's conversion to Christianity, Bishop Robert Barron, Carl Lentz, Tullian Tchividjian and Gabe Lyons all appeared in interviews with him — even though the accusations against Brand were already public. Dirty soda is quirky but unmistakably Mormon (RNS) — A new documentary explores the origins and religious angle behind Utah's best-known beverage export. ICYMI Nithya Raman, a practicing Hindu, elected as mayor of Los Angeles (RNS) — Los Angles voters elected Hindu Democratic Socialist Nithya Raman as mayor, giving mayoral offices to Indian American immigrants in the two largest U.S. cities. Muslim advocacy group CAIR shuts Florida chapter as terror designation takes effect (RNS) A federal judge denied the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ bid to halt Florida’s terrorist designation. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

Copyright © 2026 Religion News Service, All rights reserved.