“Some say that the patriarch is very close to Putin,” says managing editor Kim Lawton, “and so who knows what kind of Russian geopolitics may also be affected by this meeting” of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis. More →

Source: The Pope Meets the Patriarch | February 12, 2016 | Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly | PBS

Hampton Court Palace hosted a vespers service in a symbol of the growing reconciliation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England.

Source: Palace of Henry VIII Holds First Catholic Service in Nearly 500 Years - The New York Times

NPR's Robert Siegel talks with the Nicole Winfield of the Associated Press about the pope's justification for use of contraception in regions affected by the Zika virus.

Source: Pope Francis Justifies Contraception In Regions Affected By Zika Virus : NPR

For transgender people, church can feel extremely unwelcoming. A congregation in Phoenix is trying to change that by offering free meals and support to them — many of whom are homeless trans youth.

Source: Pastor Redefines 'Church' For Transgender Youth : NPR

A dozen congregations are harboring immigrants facing deportation. It echoes the sanctuary movement of the 1980s, when hundreds of churches sheltered Central Americans escaping war and violence.

Source: U.S. Churches Offer Safe Haven For A New Generation Of Immigrants

“One of the attractions of this strategy is that we’re not just a relatively small Christian community in the United States taking an action,” says Rev. John Thomas, former president of the United Church of Christ. “We’re joining a much broader movement.” But Rev. John Wimberly, a Presbyterian minister, says US churches supporting the BDS movement “are empowering the most extreme voices and the harshest voices on both sides.” More →

Source: Israel...

We all have comfort foods — even Pope Francis and the men who guard him. The Vatican Cookbook is a tour of life and food in the world's smallest country, as told by members of the Swiss Guard.

Source: Holy Ravioli! Cookbook Reveals The Vatican's Favorite Recipes : The Salt : NPR

More than 3,000 people made this year’s three-day journey to a mountaintop statue of Jesus, hoping to find redemption, a promise of rain or just a connection to the past.

Source: Pilgrimage in Mexico Keeps a Cowboy Tradition Alive - The New York Times

The pope firmly ruled out abortion for pregnant women who fear effects of the Zika virus — but said that "in certain cases," contraception might be a lesser evil, without directly approving its use.

Source: Pope Suggests Contraception Use May Be 'Lesser Evil' For Those Fearing Zika

Journalist Susan Jacoby tells Fresh Air that more than half of Americans will change religion at least once in their adult life time. Her new book is Strange Gods: A Secular History of Conversion.

Source: 'Strange Gods' Chronicles The History Of Secularism And Conversion : NPR

The Rev. Franklin Graham, a son of Billy Graham, is on a 50-state tour, and Jerry Falwell Jr., a son of Jerry Falwell, has endorsed Donald J. Trump.

Source: Heirs to 2 Evangelical Empires Take Different Paths Into Political Fray - The New York Times

The pope took politicians and clergy to task, saying they were not making it their priority to ease the sufferings of the people. He also apologized for past abuse of indigenous people by the church.

Source: 5 Memorable Scenes From Pope Francis' Tour Of Mexico : The Two-Way : NPR

(RNS) The Anglican Communion voted to censure its American branch, the Episcopal Church, during a meeting in Canterbury, England, called to reflect on the future of the communion.

Source: Episcopal Church suspended from full participation in Anglican Communion - Religion News Service

(RNS) What Hawkins really violated were the implicit but very real political preferences of Wheaton’s constituency, not the school’s explicit theological standards.

Source: What the Larycia Hawkins case means for evangelical colleges (COMMENTARY) - Religion News Service

Earlier this month, it emerged that Wheaton College had begun the process of firing Larycia Hawkins, a tenured associate professor of political science at the evangelical Christian school. Hawkins was suspended last month after she decided to wear a headscarf during the Advent season to show solidarity with Muslims during a difficult period.