RNS Morning Report: As COP29 begins, some voice concerns over religious freedom in host country Azerbaijan

Top Stories As COP29 begins, some voice concerns over religious freedom in host country Azerbaijan (RNS) — When RNS reached out to the faith groups that have had a leading presence at recent COPs for comment on how they would approach their work given religious liberty violations, most were silent.   Vatican and Microsoft partner to showcase St. Peter’s Basilica through AI technology (RNS) — Pilgrims coming to Rome will now have the opportunity to experience St. Peter’s Basilica like never before.   AP VoteCast shows Trump boosted his level of support among Catholic voters (AP) — This year, according to VoteCast, 54% of Catholic voters supported Trump and 44% backed Harris.   Anxious, grieving, elated: Clergy prepare to preach into the post-election whirlwind (RNS) — Preachers are turning to webinars, directories of appropriate liturgies and moral support from each other as they determine how to address their congregants.   RNS Opinion The horror of Amsterdam (RNS) — Jews denying their Jewishness in order to survive. Jews jumping into canals. Get your mind around that.   Heritage Foundation’s ‘Esther’ addendum to Project 2025 isn’t really about antisemitism (RNS) — Project Esther's concern for antisemitism is actually a smokescreen for an attack on a variety of progressive causes.   ICYMI Iran executes Jewish man despite family pleas and attempts to pay restitution (RNS) — Arvin Ghahremani's family claims he killed a Muslim in self-defense, but Iranian law distinguishes in such matters between Muslims and non-Muslims, frequently discriminating against the latter.   Will ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ be a Christian crossover miracle? (RNS) — 'We live in very divided times. ... But something about Christmas has always united people,' said 'The Chosen' creator Dallas Jenkins, who directed the film, in theaters Nov. 8. In Other News Historic Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church is again making history with the first woman pastor in its 237-year existence Diocese of Oakland says it will pay up to $200 million for hundreds of abuse claims   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. RNS 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