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Religion
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Religion. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the US embassy to the Holy See in Rome in May last year. On Sunday, a Vatican source said Rubio would meet Pope Leo in Rome this week. Photo: Reuters
Italy

Rubio to visit Pope Leo in Rome in attempt to ‘thaw’ relations after Trump row

The Vatican said the US secretary of state’s meeting would take place on Thursday, weeks after Trump criticised the pope’s anti-war rhetoric.

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Africa

Vigilantes in Nigeria kill herders amid jihadist tensions, kidnapping gangs

Britain

UK raises terror threat level to ‘severe’ after Jewish-targeted stabbings

Trending in China

Video game-loving China monk says hobby and religion have similar life purposes

Buddhist brother says engaging with others in ‘violent’ and ‘bloody’ online game is like playing chess; only worries he may become addicted.

A senior monk in China has attracted attention because of his passion for playing video games. He defends this hobby, claiming it allows him to connect with others. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Britain

London stabbing of 2 Jewish men is terrorist incident: police

The victims, aged 34 and 76, were hospitalised with knife wounds. A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

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Japan

Mosque disputes expose tensions over Japan’s growing Muslim communities

Muslim leaders say local opposition has been fuelled by negative overseas coverage of Islam and claims circulating online.

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Catholic Church

Pope meets first female Archbishop of Canterbury in symbolic Vatican encounter

Sarah Mullally, the first woman to serve as spiritual leader of the Church of England, and the pope exchanged gifts and prayed together.

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Pope Leo meets Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally at The Vatican on Monday. Photo: Simone Risoluti / Vatican media / AFP
Pope Leo XIV

‘Right to life’: Pope Leo urges worldwide abolition of death penalty

The pope’s video message, marking the 2011 Illinois abolition of the penalty, came shortly after the US mentioned potential firing squads.

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Indonesia

Is Indonesia’s blasphemy law for religious protection or political purpose?

The law has come under the spotlight after complaints filed against a former vice-president over his comments on sectarian violence.

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China’s Communist Party

China must ‘strengthen education’ of Tibetan Buddhists, Beijing official says

On inspection tour, Li Ganjie urges local authorities to promote new ‘unity’ law to ethnic minority groups.

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Li Ganjie is head of the Communist Party’s United Front Work Department and a member of the now 22-man Politburo. Photo: Xinhua
Donald Trump

Video | Trump reads Bible days after Jesus image controversy

The US president has faced rare criticism from his evangelical supporters for sharing a meme in which he appears as a Jesus-like healer.

Trump reads Bible
01:38
Africa

Pope Leo denounces ‘colonisation’ of minerals on final leg of Africa tour

The pontiff warns that a global lust for profit ‘kills’ as he meets with a government accused of widespread corruption and authoritarianism.

Donald Trump

Trump reads from Bible after high-profile clash with pope

The US president has faced rare criticism from his evangelical supporters for sharing a meme in which he appears as a Jesus-like healer.

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Israel

Israel jails soldiers for vandalising Jesus statue in Lebanon

Both the soldier who smashed the sculpture with a sledgehammer and the one who photographed the act will receive military detention.

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An Israeli soldier damages the head of a statue of Jesus, in Debel, Lebanon. Photo: Social media via Reuters
Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo criticises exploitation by world’s ‘authoritarians’ during Angola trip

The US pope, who has drawn the ire of President Donald Trump, has repeatedly criticised world leaders, without naming individuals.

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Pope Leo XIV arrives to lead Holy Mass at the Saurimo esplanade in Angola on Monday. Photo: EPA
Africa

In Angola, Pope Leo prays at shrine that was once a hub for slavery

First American pontiff recalls centuries of ‘suffering’ at site originally built by Portuguese colonisers.

Donald Trump

Pope Leo seeks to defuse tensions with Trump, says not trying to debate him

The pontiff clarified that his Cameroon comments weren’t aimed at Trump amid media misinterpretations.

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Africa

Pope urges Cameroon to reject violence at mass that draws 120,000 people

Believers slept overnight on mats to hear the address from the pontiff, who has drawn Trump’s ire with his anti-war comments.

Pope Leo arrives in procession to celebrate mass at Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, on Friday. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar chats with US Muslim streamer – is it a populist move?

Anwar spoke with Sneako about issues ranging from Malaysia’s multi-religious society and Israel to the ‘very condescending’ American mindset.

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump posts image of Jesus hugging him amid escalating feud with pope

US president doubles down on religious imagery as his administration clashes with Pope Leo over the Iran war.

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Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo stresses message of peace and unity despite another Trump attack

US-born pontiff urges respect for all people, says his travels have shown importance of pursuing dialogue between different communities.

Pope Leo speaks to members of the media on board a plane on Wednesday en route to Yaounde, Cameroon, amid his apostolic journey. Photo: Reuters
Fashion

Designer Filippo Sorcinelli on dressing the last three popes – interview

Also a perfumer and organist, Sorcinelli says his work for Popes Benedict, Francis and now Leo is ultimately inspired by his Catholic faith.

Italian designer Filippo Sorcinelli has dressed the last three popes. Photo: Handout
Donald Trump

Trump claims Jesus-like meme that caused outcry was him as a doctor

US president deletes AI image of himself as a Jesus-like figure amid a deepening feud with Pope Leo.

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Donald Trump

‘Someone must stand for a better way’: Pope speaks out after Trump’s attack

After the US president shatters norms with a direct hit on the pontiff, Leo says he will continue to speak out ‘loudly’ and promote peace.

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Africa

At least 200 feared dead after Nigerian air strike hits busy village market

Nigerian Air Force launches investigation into civilian casualties at Jilli Market as it targeted jihadists.

Nigerian Air Force officers display ammunition next to a fighter jet in 2017. Photo: AP
United States

Pentagon plays down rift with Vatican despite Pope Leo’s criticism

The first American pope’s criticism of US actions in conflict creates a rare public fracture between Washington and the Holy See.

Pope Leo. Photo: Reuters
Easter

Pope Leo calls for peace, dialogue amid Ukraine, Iran wars in Easter mass

Leo addressed some 50,000 in St. Peter’s Square and quoted his predecessor, who reminded the faithful of the ‘great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day’.

Italy

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

‘I carry all of this suffering in my prayer,’ the pontiff said before he set out for the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross.

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