RNS Morning Report: Pope Francis’ welcoming message transformed a trans community in Rome

Top Stories How Pope Francis’ welcoming message transformed a trans community in Rome VATICAN CITY (RNS) — While Pope Francis' steps toward openness to the LGBTQ community haven't changed church doctrine, outside Vatican circles they have been seen as earthshaking.   Beijing hounds Chinese church seeking safety overseas BANGKOK (AP) — The story of the exile of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church illustrates how the Chinese government is going to increasing lengths to control religious faith and its citizens, even far outside its borders.   Egypt demands Netflix, others adhere to ‘societal values’ CAIRO (AP) — According to a statement from the Egyptian government on Wednesday, streaming services should comply with “societal principles and values of the country” they are streaming in.   Serbia Orthodox church head publicly supports EuroPride ban BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia's Orthodox Church head said he is supporting a ban on the pan-European LGBTQ event EuroPride, which is due to take place in Belgrade next week. RNS Opinion Mikhail Gorbachev’s tragic legacy in the Russian Orthodox Church (RNS) — The Russian leader ended 70 years of repression of the Russian Orthodox Church but opened the way for other faith groups.   Mother Teresa: The first great saint of the television era (RNS) — Her story is so well known that we don’t really know her. ICYMI California congressman demands more transparency from health care sharing ministries (RNS) — ‘These are businesses … masquerading as health plans that somehow follow biblical principles,’ said U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman.   The Christian right’s Faustian bargain (RNS) — It goes back 42 years. In Other News There are barely any Muslims on popular TV series, a new study says Judge: Employers don’t have to cover HIV meds if they oppose ‘homosexual behavior’   Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. Religion News Service is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today at religionnews.com/donate. If you prefer to mail a donation, please address to: Religion News Foundation, PO Box 1808, Columbia, MO 65205. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend