Pope Francis starts new year with call to protect women, focus on the good

Pope Francis has used his New Year's Day appearances to encourage people to focus on the good which unites them and to decry violence against women.

Pope Francis celebrates 85th birthday as reform hits stride

Pope Francis turns 85 on Dec. 17, a milestone as he continues efforts to make the Catholic Church more attuned to the laity.

Pope Francis addresses nun abuse detailed in investigative expose

During an audience with members of the Vatican’s congregation for religious orders, Pope Francis cited a new investigative expose of the problem written by a reporter for the Holy See’s media, Salvatore Cernuzio.

‘Chanukah Sameach’ : Biden recognizes Hanukkah  2021 with well wishes

“From our family to yours, and from the People’s House to your own homes, Jill and I wish you and your loved ones a Chanukah Sameach, a Happy Hanukkah!” President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Phil Saviano, Catholic church sex abuse survivor and whistleblower, dies

Saviano played a central role in illuminating the scandal, which led to the resignation of Boston's Cardinal Bernard Law and church settlements with hundreds of victims.

Survey: Few Americans blame God for COVID-19 pandemic, other tragedies

A large majority of U.S. adults believe that most of the suffering in the world comes from people rather than from God, according to surveys from the Pew Research Center.

Diwali 2021: What to know about the festival of lights

The Hindu festival of Diwali, which symbolizes new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, is being celebrated by millions across the world.

Biden receives Communion in Rome amid abortion debate in US

While President Joe Biden regularly receives Communion in his home dioceses in Washington and Delaware, it was significant that he also received Communion in Rome.

Biden: Pope Francis told him he should 'keep receiving communion'

President Joe Biden said the issue of abortion did not come up in his meeting with Pope Francis, but that the pontiff said he should keep receiving Communion.

Megan Rice, nun imprisoned over peace activism, dies at 91

Megan Rice died of congestive heart failure Oct. 10 at Holy Child Center in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, according to her order, the Society of the Holy Child Jesus

How have churches navigated during the pandemic?
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Two pastors join The Factor to discuss how the pandemic has impacted their churches and congregations.

‘The evidence is overwhelming’: NIH director pleads with evangelicals* to get vaccinated *

NIH Director Francis Collins said that the millions of religious Americans who are choosing to not get the COVID-19 vaccine because of their faith is creating a “truly heartbreaking” scenario.

Pope expresses 'shame' at scale of child sex abuse by clergy in France

Pope Francis expressed “shame” over a report that estimated some 330,000 French children were abused by clergy and other church authority figures.

Southern Baptist Convention panel votes to unseal records in sex abuse probe

Waiving that privilege is considered crucial to enabling a transparent reckoning into how the denomination's leaders responded to abuse and abusers in its churches and institutions.

Catholic church sex abuse: 330,000 child victims in France, report says

Victims of sex abuse within France’s Catholic Church have welcomed a new report that says an estimated 330,000 children were sexually abused over the past 70 years.

Pope blames 'virulence of uncertainty' for COVID-19 vaccine resistance

Pope Francis says he doesn't understand why people refuse to take COVID-19 vaccines, noting “humanity has a history of friendship with vaccines.”