Lead story
Editor's note:
Pope Leo XIV began his papacy nearly a year ago, seemingly content to stay out of the headlines – to the extent that’s possible for the leader of the Catholic Church. This past week, however, he has been constantly in the media spotlight, embarking on an ambitious four-nation trip to Africa while engaging unflinchingly in a dramatic exchange of words with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The pope, who had customarily avoided singling out world leaders for criticism, made clear that he considered aspects of Trump’s approach to the war with Iran “unacceptable.” Leo held firm, even as Trump assailed him as “weak” and soft on crime.
In Algeria, Leo highlighted themes of unity. He arrived in Cameroon with a message of peace for its separatist region and for talks with President Paul Biya, the 93-year-old leader whose grip on power was extended for an eighth term in a widely disputed election last year.
Religion News
The church where MLK gave his final speech is getting a $1.2 million renovation
Standing where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his final speech at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Church of God in Christ leaders said a $1.2 million federal grant will be used to modernize the treasured site. By Adrian Sainz/The Associated Press
These US Jews wanted to show solidarity with Palestinians. Israel deported them.
At least a dozen US Jews motivated by Jewish values to engage in pro-Palestine activism have been deported from Israel over the past year. Dozens of others have had their digital entry passes revoked. By Yonat Shimron/Religion News Service
Five years ago, legendary Bible teacher Beth Moore made national headlines when she left the Southern Baptist Convention, the denomination that had been her whole life. She talked to RNS about what happened next and why she still loves teaching the Bible. By Bob Smietana/Religion News Service
Study finds highest number of deaths from antisemitic attacks in 30 years globally
Last year saw the highest level of deadly violence against Jews around the world in over three decades, with 20 people killed in antisemitic attacks, according to an annual study released by Tel Aviv University. By Melanie Lidman/The Associated Press
Ethiopian Orthodox Christians in Washington mark Easter with prayer, joyful family celebrations
Dressed head to toe in white, hundreds of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians packed tightly into Washington, D.C.’s DSK Mariam Church to sing hymns in the ancient language Ge’ez, to pray, and to stand vigil as their Easter Sunday unfolded. By Jessie Wardarski/The Associated Press
Commentary and Analysis
Long-standing Christian narratives about Islam continue to inform political language, argues a sociologist of Islam. By Anna Piela for The Conversation
'I’m not afraid of the Trump administration,' the pope responded, 'or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel.' By Thomas Reese/Religion News Service
Denying Jewish men’s masculinity, or blaming them for weakening ‘traditional’ masculinity, has long been part of antisemitism. By Miriam Eve Mora for The Conversation
From its earliest centuries, Christianity was bound up with politics, with frequent tensions between government power and religious authority. By Joelle Rollo-Koster for The Conversation
Christian Orthodox pilgrims hold up candles during the Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the site where, according to tradition, Jesus was crucified and buried, in the Old City of Jerusalem, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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