Pope Francis condemns surrogacy as 'despicable,' calls for global ban
Pope Francis called Monday for a universal ban on what he called the “despicable” practice of surrogate motherhood, as he included the “commercialization” of pregnancy in an annual speech listing threats to global peace and human dignity.
Pope Francis individually baptizes infants during annual ceremony at Sistine Chapel
Pope Francis baptized 16 babies in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday under the ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo, in what has become an annual tradition near the end of the Christmas holiday period at the Vatican.
Shia LaBeouf converts to Catholicism, was confirmed at New Year's Eve Mass
Actor Shia LaBeouf has converted to Catholicism.
Watch Night service: How the tradition for Black Americans has evolved since 1862
Watch Night services, which date back to the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, are still observed on New Year's Eve at many multiracial and predominately Black churches in the US.
Rapper Ye issues a Hebrew apology for previous antisemitic comments
The rapper formerly known as Kanye West, who has a long history of making antisemitic comments, apologized to the Jewish community in an Instagram post written in Hebrew on Tuesday.
Pope Francis, in Christmas Day blessing, begs for Israel-Hamas cease-fire
Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, “is a place of sorrow and silence" this year, Pope Francis lamented as he pleaded for a cease-fire in Gaza.
Pope Francis says priests can bless same-sex unions, requests shouldn't be matter of moral analysis
The Vatican issued a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis" to receive it.
Pope Francis celebrates birthday amid church reforms, health concerns
Pope Francis turned 87 on Sunday, closing out a year that saw big milestones in his efforts to reform the Catholic Church as well as health scares that raise questions about his future as pope.
Virginia senator tells Pope Francis to slow his roll on AI regulation
The United States is not ready to join a binding treaty proposed by Pope Francis to regulate artificial intelligence on a global scale, a top Senate Democrat says.
Anti-Semitic incidents up 337% since Oct. 7 Hamas attacks: ADL
The Anti-Defamation League says that since the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, there has been a spike in reports across the country of anti-Semitic incidents. Jake Kurz joins FOX 7 Austin's Mike Warren to discuss.
Gov. Abbott issues warning to Texas universities about teaching social agendas
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott gave a speech that sounded more than like a lecture to university leaders about teaching social agendas.
Harvard president to remain in position following backlash on antisemitism testimony
Harvard President Claudine Gay will remain leader of the prestigious Ivy League school following her comments last week at a congressional hearing on antisemitism.
Antisemitism watchdog group gives Stanford a 'C' for campus climate
It’s written in a report-card style format, grading how hate incidents against Jewish people are identified, handled and how safe students feel.
Arizona man arrested following 'religiously motivated terrorist attack' in Australia identified
The arrest, according to police in Australia's Queensland state, was made in connection with an incident in December 2022 that officials have characterized as a "religiously motivated terrorist attack."
DHS issues new guide to help houses of worship protect themselves
The Department of Homeland Security has a part of its agency that works with faith groups nationwide to help protect against violence directed at their facilities and their members.
Saint Mary Cathedral installs St. Michael statue
The statue of St. Michael was recently commissioned to be installed in a niche in the bell tower at Saint Mary Cathedral.
Pope Francis says he has acute bronchitis, will avoid traveling
Pope Francis says he is suffering from acute and infectious bronchitis.
Elon Musk visits Israel to meet leaders amid allegations of antisemitism on X
The billionaire has faced accusations from the Anti-Defamation League and others of tolerating antisemitic messages on the social media platform since purchasing it in 2022.
Pope Francis undergoes hospital checkup after coming down with the flu
Pope Francis went to the hospital Saturday for tests after he came down with the flu, but the results ruled out any respiratory problems, the Vatican said.
Dept. of Education launches probe into antisemitic, anti-Muslim discrimination at schools
Six colleges and one school district are under investigation for these alleged incidents amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.