Religion

The Latest

null

U.S. Catholic population shows growth, trends southward

Dec 6, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

With nearly 62 million people, Catholics make up the largest religious body in 36 U.S. states. Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin in Kiev, Ukraine, in 2017.

Cardinal Parolin says religion is fundamental to promoting peace

Apr 12, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

In Part 4 of an exclusive interview, the Vatican Secretary of State speaks about peace, reconciliation and ecumenical challenges. Read more

Photo courtesy of Amazon.

Mindfulness and meditation 'AmaZen' employee program not religious, Amazon says

May 19, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Corporate giant Amazon will offer an “AmaZen” component to employees to encourage “mindfulness practices” as part of its revamped employee... Read more

Credit: EvGavrilov/Shutterstock

Survey: Americans more likely to say that pandemic strengthened their faith

Jan 27, 2021

Americans are more likely than people in other developed countries to say their faith has strengthened during the pandemic, according... Read more

Research aims to quantify and explain drop in US religiosity

May 26, 2020

The current drop in the number of people in the United States identifying with a religion may not be permanent,... Read more

Fr. Antonio Spadaro, S.J., editor in chief of La Civilta Cattolica.

Civilta Cattolica inspired counterproductive debate, American critics say

Aug 3, 2017

A prominent Jesuit publication’s essay on American religion and politics continues to provoke responses from critics concerned its two authors... Read more

Scientists play a key role in solving global problems, Pope Francis says

Nov 28, 2016

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis told a group of scientists Monday that their role in finding creative solutions to the world’s problems is... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, blesses a new building at the North American College in Rome on Jan. 6, 2015.

Vatican official: Religion has the responsibility to condemn terrorism

Sep 22, 2016

While genocide, war crimes, and violence against humanity continue to plague individuals across the globe, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal... Read more

Are religious teachers being eradicated from Belgian schools?

Jul 13, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Religion classes in Belgium’s French-speaking primary and secondary schools will be cut in half starting in October 2016 and replaced... Read more

Is religion good or bad for society? Two experts debate

Feb 6, 2016

An auditorium on the campus of the University of Colorado bustled with hundreds of people as a crowd of students... Read more

Religion will only keep growing in the future – and here's why

Dec 21, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

The numbers of people without a religious affiliation are increasing in some countries. But some demographers project that the global... Read more

Hands in prayer at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Jan. 17, 2015.

New survey finds some Americans more devout, others more adrift

Nov 5, 2015

The vast majority of Americans continue to identify with religious faith, a Pew study has found. However, there are some... Read more

Okla. ruling against 10 Commandment statue blasted as extreme, inconsistent

Jul 9, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

Responding to the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling that a Ten Commandments monument on capitol grounds violates the state constitution, critics... Read more

A U.S. flag hangs outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore on Oct. 24, 2014.

Where progressives and Evangelicals agree – clarify IRS rules on political speech

Feb 3, 2015

By Matt Hadro

An unlikely combination of political progressives and Evangelicals came together last week to demand more clarity in IRS regulations of... Read more

(L-R) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Pope Francis, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Invocation for Peace in the Vatican Gardens June 8.

Global organization of religions proposed to counter terrorism

Sep 9, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

In a recent meeting with Pope Francis, former Israeli president Shimon Peres suggested forming an “Organization of United Relations” to... Read more

Pope Francis greets the faithful at the May 8 General Audience (

Pope Francis rejects false religiosity

Sep 7, 2013

In his daily homily on Saturday, Pope Francis reflected on the question of authentic Christianity and rejected the practice of... Read more

Dr. Susan Hanssen at the Catholic Information Center on June 4, 2013.

Professor says religion, private life are public concerns

Jun 4, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

In a talk at the nation's capital, a U.S. scholar argued that so-called private entities – such as the family,... Read more

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C.

Survey reveals strong US connection to local churches

Mar 5, 2013

A new survey reports that Americans feel more connected to their local church than to any other institution in society.  Read more

Global Religious Landscape, December 2012.

Study finds 84 percent of world has religious affiliation

Dec 19, 2012

By Michelle La Rosa

More than 80 percent of people around the world – about 5.8 billion individuals – identify with a religious group,... Read more