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Religion

The life and legacy of Pope Francis

Obituary

Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88, was the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff. He was also the first to choose the name Francis, dedicating his life to working with the poor and society’s outcasts. Global leaders have expressed their condolences as the Vatican arranges his funeral for Saturday.

Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff who ministered with a charming, humble style, dies at 88

Religion

For more than a century, a synagogue known as the ‘Carnegie Hall of Brooklyn’ has been home to the US’ greatest cantors

Sacred Spaces

Ukrainian military chaplains tend to soldiers and others at risk amid the ongoing fighting

Sacred Nation

How a deeply Buddhist Bhutan keeps religion and politics from mixing

Sacred Spaces

A Baha’i temple in Uganda’s bustling capital offers a rare respite

Sacred Spaces

The Baha’i faith hasn’t attracted many followers in Africa. But one Baha’i temple, located in the Ugandan capital of Kampala, is one of the few green spaces in the city, and one of the quietest, too.

Crimean Tatars mark Ramadan while in exile from the Crimean Peninsula

Sacred Nation

The Islamic month of Ramadan ends this coming weekend. Most Muslims in Ukraine are Crimean Tatars, natives of the Crimean Peninsula. This is the fourth Ramadan since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Japan moves to shut down the Unification Church 

Japan in Focus

A court in Tokyo has ordered the once-powerful Unification Church in Japan to be dissolved. The case against the religious group goes back to the 2022 assassination of Japan’s former prime minister, Shinzo Abe. The church is accused of violating the human rights of its followers, by demanding that they hand over their material wealth to the group. But church leaders deny any wrongdoing and say they will appeal the decision.

In wartime Ukraine, Jews embrace their Ukrainian-Jewish identity

Sacred Nation

Last week, Jewish communities worldwide celebrated Purim, a joyous holiday that includes dressing up in costume, giving charity, and exchanging gifts. In Ukraine, this was the third Purim Jews have celebrated since Russia’s full-scale invasion. With each year, the Jewish community feels more pride in their Ukrainian identity. 

Many Argentine Catholics pray for long-awaited papal visit 

Sacred Nation

On this day 12 years ago, Pope Francis became the first pope from Latin America. Since then, in all of his travels around the world, he has never gone back to visit his home country, Argentina. Now, Pope Francis is facing health issues and has been hospitalized since Feb. 14. His followers in Argentina are praying for his recovery — and hoping that he will finally come back on a papal visit.