Higher Ground
‘Brahmacharya’: What the Eiffel Tower controversy reveals about a Hindu monastic practice
A visit to the Eiffel Tower by a delegation of monks representing a global Hindu religious denomination on Sept. 5, 2026, has raised broader questions about accommodating religious observances in public spaces.
A Hulk-ing audience: Actor Lou Ferrigno meets Pope Leo at the Vatican
Lou Ferrigno, who starred as television's Incredible Hulk, met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Wednesday.
As Jewish college students look South, some discover a long but overlooked history
For nearly a decade now, news outlets ranging from The Atlantic to the Forward and The Free Press have reported on the increasing number of Jewish students attending college in the South.
5 questions about Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Metz, France
Pope Leo XIV ended his four-day visit to France in Metz, urging Europe to draw on its Christian roots and tradition of dialogue to counter the "desire for domination" driving today's wars.
Giggle for God: America’s witty church signs aim to inspire, attract drivers and passersby
"Forecast: God reigns and the Son shines." In mid-September, the large electronic sign of a Lutheran church flashed this message by a throughfare between growing subdivisions and cornfields in a Twin Cities suburb.
Word of Faith religious group leader gets probation in assault case in North Carolina
A leader of a secretive North Carolina religious group was sentenced Monday to two years of probation in a plea deal that dropped a felony kidnapping charge, more than nine years after her trial ended without a verdict.
New Jersey man to be jailed 70 months for threatening to bomb Supreme Court justices
A New Jersey man will spend 70 months in prison for threats he made to detonate explosives at a religious service attended annually by Supreme Court justices.
Eiffel Tower chief to step down after exclusion of female staff during Hindu delegation visit
The head of the company that runs the Eiffel Tower will step down at the end of the year after female staff at the landmark building in Paris were excluded during a visit by a Hindu religious group.
Are religious charter schools constitutional?
Without stating why, Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, a case about whether it would have been constitutional to open a Catholic charter school. The remaining justices deadlocked 4-4, leaving in place lower court rulings that blocked the school.
Pope Leo wraps up France trip by urging Europe to blunt ‘desire for domination’ driving today’s wars
Pope Leo XIV urged Europe on Monday to draw from its Christian roots and tradition of dialogue to blunt the "desire for domination" driving today's wars, as he wrapped up a visit to France by recalling the forces that contributed to the continent's peaceful integration.
French clergy abuse survivors praise meeting with Pope Leo XIV, say he listened, was informed
Pope Leo XIV condemned the legalization of medically assisted death as immoral "false compassion," reaffirming Catholic teaching on the sanctity of life during a visit to Lourdes, the French shrine associated with miraculous healings.
Pope urges religious leaders in France to preach peace as he recalls foundations of European unity
Pope Leo XIV urged religious leaders on Monday to preach messages of peace and unity as he wrapped up a visit to France by recalling the forces of dialogue that contributed to Europe's post-World War II integration.
Pope blasts assisted dying as ‘false compassion’ at French shrine known for miraculous cures
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday condemned the legalization of medically assisted death as immoral "false compassion," reaffirming Catholic teaching on the sanctity of life during a visit to Lourdes, the French shrine associated with miraculous healings.
Assault and kidnapping retrial for Word of Faith religious group leader set in North Carolina
An assault and kidnapping case against a leader of a secretive North Carolina religious group appears to be finally returning to the courtroom more than nine years after her first trial ended without a verdict.
The hypocrisy of progressive Christianity
In case you have not noticed, talk of religion is no longer verboten in the ranks of the political left.
Hundreds of thousands turn out for Pope Leo’s Mass in Paris
The Vatican has estimated that 700,000 people have turned out for Pope Leo XIV's Mass at Paris' iconic Place de la Concorde, a sign of the Catholic Church's enduring appeal in the once staunchly Catholic but officially secular country.
Tim Tebow pauses relationship with Christian organization accused of using predatory sales tactics
Tim Tebow said Friday he is "pausing his relationship" with Life Surge, a Christian organization that's been accused of using predatory sales tactics to exploit its followers' faith and financial insecurity.
Thousands of victims, millions in reparations. How France handled mass church sex abuse
As Pope Leo XIV prepares to meet this weekend with survivors of sexual abuse by clergy in France, an independent body created to address decades of church abuse is wrapping up its work and taking stock.
Pope Leo XIV warns a ‘paradise of machines’ could undermine humanity as he opens France trip
Pope Leo XIV warned Friday that a "paradise of machines" risked undermining humanity as he opened a trip to France by posing fundamental questions about what it means to be human in the age of artificial intelligence, nuclear arms race and other threats to life itself.
Muslim Americans push back as Republican politicians stoke anti-Sharia rhetoric ahead of election
Some of the loudest cheers for Sen. Ted Cruz at the Republicans' recent midterm convention in Dallas came after the Texas politician targeted Muslim Americans and their faith's religious code.
