Churches & Religion

Pope Francis celebrates a mass Monday in the Barthelemy Boganda Stadium in Bangui, Central African Republic. The pontiff returned to Italy on Monday after a visit to Africa.

Pope’s visit spurs hope for peace

November 30, 2015, 6:18pm Churches & Religion

Pope Francis made a historic visit to the last remaining Muslim neighborhood in Central African Republic’s capital Monday, a move that almost immediately opened up a part of the divided city troubled for months by retaliatory violence between Muslim and Christian militias. Read story

Pope backs more time for defense in Vatican leaks trial

November 30, 2015, 6:17pm Churches & Religion

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE -- Pope Francis has acknowledged criticism that the Vatican's trial over leaked documents has been rushed, saying the defendants and their lawyers must have time to mount a proper defense. Read story

Pope Francis is greeted by Uganda's President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the State House, in Entebbe, Uganda, Friday, Nov. 27, 2015. Pope Francis is in Africa for a six-day visit that is taking him to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic.

Pope: There are bigger issues than condoms and HIV

November 30, 2015, 2:15pm Churches & Religion

Pope Francis has dismissed a question about whether condoms can be condoned in the fight against AIDS by saying there are more important issues confronting the world, like malnutrition, environmental exploitation and the lack of safe drinking water. Read story

Students sit beneath an image of Pope Francis during a ceremony dedicating the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program?s mural, titled The Sacred Now: Faith and Family in the 21st Century on Monday in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia mural of Pope Francis could be world record

November 30, 2015, 1:45pm Churches & Religion

PHILADELPHIA -- A potentially record-breaking mural featuring Pope Francis has been unveiled in Philadelphia. Read story

Pope Francis celebrates a mass in the Barthelemy Boganda Stadium, in Bangui, Central African Republic, on Monday. The pontiff is on his way back to Italy after a two-day visit to Central African Republic. After a final Mass at the sports stadium in Bangui, the pope's motorcade headed to the airport where his plane has now taken off.

Pope urges peace while visiting C. African Republic mosque

November 30, 2015, 9:57am Churches & Religion

BANGUI, Central African Republic -- Pope Francis made a historic visit to the last remaining Muslim neighborhood in Central African Republic's capital on Monday, a move that almost immediately opened up a part of the divided city that had been closed off for months because of retaliatory violence between Muslim… Read story

Singing Christmas Tree stands tall

Choir members are nestled in the constructed tree like ornaments for the annual Singing Christmas Tree performances at the Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene.

In the days following Thanksgiving, the tree is always hauled out from storage, the Christmas lights tested and branches fluffed to fullness. Only, this Christmas tree is about 50 feet tall and filled with around 70 choir members. Read story

Chabad Jewish Center raises $76,374

The Chabad Jewish Center surpassed its goal of raising $72,000 in a 24-hour fundraising campaign that ended Wednesday. Three donors agreed to match every dollar, so a $1 donation became $4. The funds raised support programs and activities put on by the Jewish center at 9604 N.E. 126th Ave. Read story