Religion News Service - Pope Leo's lung cancer surgery; Abortion on the ballot; Religious voters worry about the economy

Top Stories After lung cancer surgery, can Pope Leo make his South America trip? VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV is recovering after lung cancer surgery, with a demanding South America trip scheduled just 24 days after the operation. His recovery and further test results will help determine whether he can make the journey. Abortion is on midterm ballots in 4 states. Here’s what the polls — and faith groups — say. (RNS) — As Idaho, Missouri, Nevada and Virginia prepare to vote on abortion-related ballot measures, polling suggests abortion is less of a priority for voters than in other recent election cycles. Pew midterm report: Religious voters worry about economy; evangelicals stick with GOP (RNS) — Religious Americans are unhappy with both political parties, Donald Trump and the state of the country ahead of the midterms, according to Pew Research. The economy and the future of democracy top their concerns. Photos of the Week: Historic church rebuilt, new seminary president (RNS) — Each week RNS presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. This week’s photo selection includes the rededication of a historic church in Virginia, a presidential inauguration at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and more. Opinion The lie around the denounce & renounce movement of the ‘Divine Nine’ (RNS) — In recent months, I have noticed viral sermon snippets popping up on my timelines from conservative, fundamentalist African American Christians denouncing membership in historically African American intercollegiate fraternities and sororities and the Freemason fraternal orders. A letter from an ICE detention center: A pastor writes from inside (RNS) — 'My faith teaches me that every person has dignity. It is easy to say those words from a pulpit. It is different to live them from here,' writes Molis Augustave, a Haitian pastor who spent weeks in detention before he was deported to Haiti. ICYMI Military archbishop asks that Catholics be excused from livestreamed execution (RNS) — The archdiocese’s statement adds to the list of faith leaders who have condemned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s plans to livestream the execution of former Major Nidal Hasan. SBC seminaries see new generation of leaders with R. Scott Pace installed at Southeastern WAKE FOREST, N.C. (RNS) — R. Scott Pace succeeds Daniel Akin, a key champion of the conservative takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention in the early 1980s. At his inauguration, Pace promised to continue that conservative mission.     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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