RNS Morning Report - Barred from the US, a pastor leads his Wisconsin church from Guatemala

Top Stories Barred from the US, a pastor leads his Wisconsin church from Guatemala (RNS) — RNS found at least 25 immigrant pastors were detained, deported or otherwise separated from their churches. While the Rev. Esdras Paredes ministers via video, his congregation sells tamales to raise funds and prays for a miracle. Why is the documentary ‘NAZA’ causing a political storm? Here are 5 things to know. (RNS) — From its 25-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival to its vilification by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 'NAZA' is drawing attention for its focus on Israel's loose calculus of collateral damage in its war in Gaza. Heather Thompson Day and Seth Day, Christian authors, arrested for alleged abuse (RNS) — The Days are co-authors of a best-selling Christian book on relationships. New Jersey Muslims sue township for mosque denial, alleging discrimination (RNS) — The federal complaint alleges the zoning board bowed to anti-Muslim pressure and violated the Muslim Center’s constitutional rights. Abducted by the LRA as a teen, he now turns to faith to heal his trauma NAIROBI (RNS) — More than 2,000 former LRA captives and returnees gathered in northern Uganda for prayer and reconciliation, confronting a painful question: How do communities receive people who are both victims and victimizers? Opinion The pope’s message on AI is breaking through in Silicon Valley and beyond (RNS) — As I've met with tech leaders and government officials, I've been surprised (and gratified) by the intense level of interest in and respect for what the US Church has to offer as AI accelerates. Israel votes next month. American Jews have a role, even without a ballot. (RNS) — Often the best way to love a country is to fight for it to do better. If we leave it up to Netanyahu and his cohort of politicians willing to sacrifice everything for power and dominance, then we will never reach a better future. ICYMI Pope Leo says existential concerns about AI ‘should be taken seriously’ ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (RNS) — 'If someone were to ask me, am I in panic mode? No, I sleep at night,' the pope said. But, he doesn’t believe the warnings regarding AI are 'fake news, as some have said.' Megachurch pastor Craig Groeschel follows Tim Tebow in suspending ties to Life Surge (RNS) — An investigation by podcaster Pablo Torre and Mother Jones magazine alleged that Life Surge, which runs Christian leadership and wealth events featuring sports stars and Christian celebrities, pressured attendees into taking on tens of thousands in debt. 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

Copyright © 2026 Religion News Service, All rights reserved.

RNS Morning Report - Pope Leo says existential concerns about AI 'should be taken seriously'

Top Stories Pope Leo says existential concerns about AI ‘should be taken seriously’ ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (RNS) — 'If someone were to ask me, am I in panic mode? No, I sleep at night,' the pope said. But, he doesn’t believe the warnings regarding AI are 'fake news, as some have said.' Megachurch pastor Craig Groeschel follows Tim Tebow in suspending ties to Life Surge (RNS) — An investigation by podcaster Pablo Torre and Mother Jones magazine alleged that Life Surge, which runs Christian leadership and wealth events featuring sports stars and Christian celebrities, pressured attendees into taking on tens of thousands in debt. Pope Leo warns: Invoking God to justify war is to ‘profane’ his name METZ, France (RNS) — On his final day in France, Pope Leo XIV urged European leaders to uphold multilateralism and international law and reject the 'illusion' of rearmament. Opinion Israel is not an etrog. It doesn’t have to be flawless to be legitimate. (RNS) — A funny cartoon makes a point: Who of us could hold up against such incessant scrutiny? The enigmatic Bayeux Tapestry — a bothsidesism for the ages (RNS) — The monks' efforts were not employed, as today, to rationalize bad behavior on one's own side, but as bona fide criticism of both. ICYMI At Lourdes healing shrine, Pope Leo addresses ‘wounds’ of clerical abuse LOURDES, France (RNS) — With clerical abuse scandals and the Vatican trial of the Rev. Marko Rupnik looming over the pope's visit to France, Leo encouraged the church to 'have the courage' to recognize its failures, while calling on bishops to remain vigilant. Pope Leo welcomes French converts and wades into liturgy debate PARIS (RNS) — As France sees a surge in adult and youth baptisms, Pope Leo XIV urged the church to welcome new Catholics into parish life and called for reverence in worship without letting liturgical preferences divide the faithful.     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

Copyright © 2026 Religion News Service, All rights reserved.

RNS Morning Report - As Texas Republicans target Islam, a once-quiet Muslim community fights back

Top Stories As Texas Republicans target Islam, a once-quiet Muslim community fights back (RNS) — ‘We actually have to do something to stop this,’ said Noor Wadi, a Dallas lawyer who is a key figure in the pushback. At AI conference, religious leaders confront what technology could cost humanity WASHINGTON (RNS) — The dangers of AI hung heavy over Tuesday's conference, including the faith-focused panel with evangelical, Catholic and LDS leaders. In Germany, right-wing ‘Christfluencers’ hope to follow the US religious right (RNS) — Radicalized by COVID-19 and anger over immigration, right-wing pastors like Tobias Riemenschneider in Germany hope to gain followers by promoting conservative Christian views and politics. They have looked to religious right leaders and conservative influencers in the US for inspiration. Opinion The Catholic Church’s culture problem is closer to home than Pope Leo thinks (RNS) — Two women now head major Vatican offices, and a third will soon. But the altar rail tells another story about their progress in the church. LGBTQ Jews face dual threats these High Holidays. Here’s how synagogues can be their refuge. (RNS) — Every congregation can plan ahead, communicate with respect and ensure that no one is humiliated at the door, singled out during a meal or made to feel that their presence is merely being tolerated. Immigration policy divides us. Whether to show up for people hurt by it shouldn’t. (RNS) — In time of a humanitarian crisis, Mary Ellen Giess argues that interfaith communities in Springfield are showing what’s possible. ICYMI As Pope Leo prepares to visit France, can its ‘Catholic moment’ become a lasting revival? (RNS) — Record numbers of young people are seeking baptism in France. As Pope Leo arrives to greet 80,000 of them later this month, the country's diminished Catholic Church is faced with the challenge of turning the burst of enthusiasm into a lasting renewal. T.D. Jakes’ megachurch pays tribute to his 50 years of ministry (RNS) — ‘The Potter's House is never just Bishop Jakes,’ he told his megachurch congregation. ‘It never was, and it never will be.’   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

Copyright © 2026 Religion News Service, All rights reserved.