Lead story
Editor's note:
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights icon who died Tuesday, used his Christian faith to shape a lifetime of political activism.
Scholars of Southern politics Gibbs Knotts and Christopher A. Cooper write that it wasn’t just a deep love of Scripture that inspired Jackson to attend the Chicago Theological Seminary. He strongly believed in the church’s “ability to do good on this earth.”
He followed a path inspired by religiously motivated civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. He led Operation Breadbasket, a campaign King started to boycott businesses that refused to employ Black workers. His background underscored the central role of the Black church in Black political mobilization.
In 1984, Jackson ran for president. In doing so, he inspired a generation of African Americans to seek public office. Barack Obama noted in 2007, “It is because people like Jesse ran that I have this opportunity to run for president today.”
Above all, Knotts and Cooper note, his politics was not merely electoral but rooted in his moral ideals – compassion for the nation’s poor and marginalized.
Religion News
Vatican expands visitor experience at St. Peter's Basilica to mark 400th anniversary
The Vatican is marking the anniversary of the consecration with a host of visitor-friendly initiatives, including expanding access to its spectacular terrace and its snack bar in the shadow of Michelangelo’s great dome. By Nicole Winfield/The Associated Press
'We’re praying with our feet': a year of pro-democracy prayer vigils in New York
As New York braces for a large-scale deployment of ICE agents, the vigils imposed themselves as a hub for the city’s religious left and became an incubator for other mobilizations. By Fiona André/Religion News Service
A Catholic diocese this week agreed to a $180 million settlement to resolve allegations of abuse – a figure far exceeding agreements in some large dioceses, though still dwarfed by other massive settlements. By Mike Catalini/The Associated Press
Ramadan arrives in Gaza under shaky ceasefire deal, but the festive spirit eludes many Palestinians
Palestinians in Gaza are welcoming the Muslim holy month of Ramadan under a fragile deal. Many say the challenges of their daily lives and the losses of the Israel-Hamas war are dampening the typically festive spirit. By Wafaa Shurafa/The Associated Press
New GOP caucus signals resurgence of anti-Shariah movement
In the Obama era, anti-Islam conservatives sought to block mosques and claimed Islamic law would take over America. Now, legislators are trying to bring the anti-Islam movement back. By Ulaa Kuziez and Bob Smietana/Religion News Service
Commentary and Analysis
Clergy sometimes place themselves in harm’s way for moral and religious reasons. A scholar of religious ethics explains when – and why. By Laura E. Alexander for The Conversation
Wasn’t this month meant to serve as a divine mercy for us all – a momentary breather, not an added burden? By Zehra Kamani/Religion News Service
The Kalevala, a poetic epic filled with myth, reflects the shared roots between Finnish and Karelian cultures. By Thomas A. DuBois for The Conversation
In 1912, a young Black woman’s supposed religious beliefs were quickly blamed to make sense of a terrifying crime spree. By Lauren N. Henley for The Conversation
A carnival float depicting U.S. President Donald Trump is seen during the Rosemonday Carnival Parade in Duesseldorf, Germany, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
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