Florida legislation would allow Satanists to volunteer in schools

A pair of bills in the Florida State Legislature could allow Satanic priests to volunteer in Florida schools. Senate Bill 1044, and companion House Bill 931, let public schools allow volunteer chaplains to provide student counseling services.

Visiting pastor halts sermon to save woman choking on peppermint

Pastor Brandon Stewart, while delivering a sermon at Mt. Zion Church in Cottonwood, Alabama, swiftly transitioned from preacher to hero when he saved a woman from choking.

Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday collide: When love meets Lent

Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day fall on the same day this year – a day of indulgence meeting a day of abstaining.

California teen accused of swatting call that threatened mass shooting at Florida mosque

A teenager in California has been charged with multiple felonies for allegedly orchestrating a swatting call that led law enforcement officers to a mosque in Florida.

Orange County commissioners reject proposed 33,000 sq ft Hindu temple in Gotha

A roughly 33,000-square-foot Hindu temple will not be coming to west Orange County after commissioners voted Tuesday to deny a special exception request that would've allowed the congregation to build the religious site in Gotha.

Florida pastor will not face charges following child abuse investigation

An Orlando woman claims a pastor at Saint Mark’s AME Church used corporal punishment against her child. The reported punishment involved this pastor using his belt to hit students.

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.

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 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.