religion

Ukrainians Elect Country's First Jewish Prime Minister

6:38pm April 14, 2016

Ukrainians elected Volodymyr B. Groysman as the country's new prime minister Thursday. NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Yale historian Timothy Snyder about Eastern Europe's violent history.

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Pope Francis welcomes Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the Vatican on Jan. 26. The pope has been extremely active in global political affairs and has often been critical of the West.

How Pope Francis Became A Foreign Policy Player

11:16am April 14, 2016

by Sylvia Poggioli

The pontiff isn't content to remain in the Vatican or sit on the sidelines. His trip this weekend to the Greek island of Lesbos is just one part of his emerging world view.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, seen here in 2014, is being replaced as the apostolic nuncio in the United States, after reaching mandatory retirement age in January.

Pope Francis Replaces Ambassador Who Arranged Kim Davis Meeting

3:11pm April 12, 2016

by Bill Chappell

The move had been anticipated since the exiting nuncio, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 earlier this year.

Many books are challenged because of "sexually explicit" content or content "unsuited for age group."

'The Holy Bible' Makes Library Association's List Of Most 'Challenged' Books

4:30pm April 11, 2016

by Laura Wagner

The challenges show religion is "on the minds of many people," says Deborah Caldwell Stone of the American Library Association. Another reason people objected to books was explicit sexual content.

Religion

The Great Schism: When The Catholic And Eastern Orthodox Churches Split

5:12pm April 10, 2016

Pope Francis goes to Greece this week to meet the Eastern Orthodox Church Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. Monsignor Paul McPartlan of Catholic University explains the history of the divide.

Tennessee Lawmakers Want To Make The Bible The Official State Book

5:36pm April 09, 2016

by Chas Sisk

Tennessee lawmakers have passed a measure making the Bible the state's official book. But opposition is coming from an unexpected group: religious conservatives.

Accountability At Center Of Catholic Church's Sex Abuse Scandal

10:57am April 09, 2016

As the church works through its sex-abuse crisis, the Vatican is struggling to figure out how to hold cardinals and bishops accountable, investigative journalist Jason Berry tells NPR's Scott Simon.

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Pope Francis Issues Major Document Regarding Family Issues

6:27pm April 08, 2016

The Vatican on Friday released a long-awaited document, entitled "The Joy of Love." Steve Inskeep talks to Joshua McElwee of the National Catholic Reporter about what's included in the pronouncement.

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Pope Francis Opens Door To Divorced Catholics In 'Amoris Laetitia'

4:26pm April 08, 2016

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with writer Rocco Palmo about Pope Francis' "Amoris Laetitia," or "The Joy of Love." The 256-page document was sent out Friday morning.

U.S. Catholics Divided Over Pope Francis' Family Life Guidelines

4:26pm April 08, 2016

by Tom Gjelten

Pope Francis released new guidelines on family life Friday arguing the church should show more understanding in matters affecting modern families. American Catholics have a range of reactions.