All articles tagged with #religion and politics
Thousands gathered on the National Mall for a White House-led, Trump-backed day-long prayer festival celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, with attendees praising Jesus; critics said the event portrayed the United States as a Christian nation and blurred church-state boundaries.
Pope Leo named Evelio Menjivar‑Ayala, a Salvadoran-born former undocumented immigrant, as bishop of West Virginia and elevated Rev. Robert Boxie III to auxiliary bishop of Washington, highlighting the pope’s pattern of advancing clergy who speak out on immigration and diversity in contrast with Trump-era policies.
Pope Leo XIV, returning from an 11-day Africa tour, shed his previously cautious persona and spoke more forcefully against war in the Middle East while addressing criticisms from Donald Trump, signaling a more assertive, global-facing papacy as he met peace advocates and discussed anew how the Vatican engages world leaders.
A Gallup poll finds more young men in the U.S. attend religious services at least monthly, narrowing the gender gap and signaling pockets of rising religiosity even as overall U.S. religiosity remains historically low; Pew Research Center findings, by contrast, suggest less movement among young adults, underscoring divergent views on the nation’s religious landscape.
President Donald Trump publicly attacked Pope Leo XIV on Truth Social, sparking an unprecedented public feud with the Catholic Church. Observers warn the clash could alienate conservative Catholic voters, a key GOP bloc, even as Leo XIV remains popular.
President Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as Jesus on Truth Social, drawing rare criticism from evangelical Christians and conservative Catholics who called it blasphemous; after the backlash the post was deleted, underscoring a rare rift within his base as a White House official suggested the outrage would fade.
President Donald Trump denounced Pope Leo XIV as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” asserting that Leo’s election was aided by his presidency; Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, has criticized Trump’s Iran policy.
Pope Leo XIV’s 10-day Africa trip will spread Catholicism, promote diplomacy, and navigate internal church debates—such as polygamy—across Algeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Angola, highlighting Africa’s growing Catholic population and the church’s balancing act with evangelical competition and colonial legacies.
A rare Pentagon meeting with Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Vatican’s ambassador to the United States, was described as frank and direct, highlighting tensions between the Trump administration and the Catholic Church and underscoring that such talks normally occur through the State Department or White House.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth centers faith in his Pentagon work, hosting worship and elevating religious messaging, drawing concern from current and former leaders who say his proselytizing violates constitutional norms and could undermine troop cohesion, echoing historical wartime prayers while signaling a shift in how faith intersects the military.
A Charlotte bishop’s pastoral letter banning kneelers and altar rails and mandating standing for Holy Communion has sparked backlash from traditionalists, signaling a broader, ongoing rift within the U.S. Catholic community over liturgical practice and church unity.
Three senior U.S. Catholic archbishops say the era of unilateral military action has unsettled the moral foundation of America’s foreign policy, noting recent use or threat of force in places like Venezuela and Greenland and echoing Pope Leo XIV’s concerns, urging a broader moral reflection on the United States’ role in the world.
The article explores Charlie Kirk's spiritual journey and his role in merging conservative Christianity with American politics, culminating in his memorial service that celebrated his influence on the Christian right and its alignment with Republican politics during the Trump era.
The article explores Pastor Doug Wilson's efforts to promote Christian nationalism and a theocratic vision in the US, including establishing a church in Washington, DC, aligned with Trump-era conservative politics, and his influence among MAGA conservatives and within the Trump administration.
White evangelical Christians are significant supporters of Israel, influencing U.S. policy due to their organized and dedicated constituency. This support is rooted in historical and theological connections, which are explored in the context of current Middle Eastern conflicts.