RNS Morning Report - On July 4th, Pope Leo asks US, Europe: Who is your neighbor?

Top Stories On July 4th, Pope Leo asks United States, Europe: Who is your neighbor? VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Standing among the graves of migrants, Pope Leo turned America’s birthday into a pointed appeal for welcoming the stranger. Reeling from Venezuela’s earthquakes, churches rush to inspect buildings, distribute supplies (RNS) — Despite the fact that many Venezuelan faith leaders have been themselves impacted by the ongoing disaster, they’ve sprung into action to provide food, psychological support and other basic needs to the large population of victims. As US turns 250, Pope Leo says liberty is represented through life, immigrants and faith VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The first U.S.-born pope marked America’s 250th anniversary by urging the country to recommit to its founding ideals. Speaking ‘as a son of this great country,’ Pope Leo highlighted a moral duty to protect life, welcome immigrants, defend religious freedom and seek peace through interfaith cooperation. ‘God commands us not to kill’: Faith leaders protest 50 years of executions WASHINGTON (RNS) — On the anniversary of a Supreme Court ruling reinstating the US death penalty, faith leaders, those affected by murder and activists organize to call for an end to the death penalty. But religion has also been present in support for capital punishment. SSPX defies Pope Leo, Vatican issues excommunication (RNS) — The latest consecrations could prompt Pope Leo to end the Vatican’s decades of dialogue with the breakaway society.  Opinion Why is it so hard to sing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner?’ (RNS) — Our patriotic songs are sacred texts — even in the way that we try to sing them. After 50 years of death row, resistance has never been stronger (RNS) — There is a powerful movement working tirelessly to abolish the death penalty.  Pope Leo applies Catholic social teaching to artificial intelligence (RNS) — The key issue is not the use of technology as such, but the vision that underlies it. ICYMI Great American State Fair spends a day focused on faith on National Mall WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘The pillars of this great republic are not made of marble; they are made of scripture,’ said the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez during a five-hour program on faith. The Bible verses dividing Washington: How Matthew 25 became a political litmus test (RNS) — 'He told me that Matthew 25 was about individuals, and not nations,' Sen. Raphael Warnock said, referring to Speaker Mike Johnson. 'The text actually says nations.' 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

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