Pope to speak to N. Korea's 'church of silence'
Pope Francis will offer prayers for Korean reconciliation in Seoul next week
Thousands mark Moon death anniversary in S. Korea
More than 20,000 followers of the Unification Church gathered in South Korea for the second anniversary of the death of their "messiah" .
China pursues 'Chinese Christian theology': state media
China will construct a "Chinese Christian theology" suitable for the country with both believer numbers and tensions with authorities.
Arab states to mark end of Ramadan from Monday
The Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan will begin on Monday in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring states.
Iraqi jihadists order genital mutilation of all women
Jihadists in Iraq have ordered that all women between the ages of 11 and 46 must undergo female genital mutilation, which could affect up to four million women and girls in the war-ravaged country, a UN official said
Sudanese Christian woman spared death sentence meets Pope
A Sudanese Christian woman whose death sentence for renouncing Islam sparked a global outcry that eventually led to an acquittal, met Pope Francis after arriving in Italy en route to the United States.
Philippine sect opens 'world's largest indoor arena'
Philippine President Benigno Aquino presided over the opening on Monday of what is billed as the world's largest indoor stadium, erected by a politically-influential religious sect.
Argentine 'Dirty War' officers guilty of killing bishop
Two retired military officers were sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a Catholic bishop during Argentina's 1976-1983 dictatorship.
Saudi to mark Ramadan from Sunday
Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, will begin on Sunday in Saudi Arabia, the state-run Al-Ekhbariya television channel reported.
Death-row Sudanese Christian freed but fears for life: lawyer
A Sudanese Christian who gave birth in prison after being sentenced to hang for apostasy was freed Monday but immediately went into hiding, fearing for her life, a lawyer said.
Christians lose divisive bid to use 'Allah' in Malaysia
Malaysia's highest court on Monday dismissed a bid by Christians for the right to use the word "Allah", ending a years-long legal battle that has escalated religious tensions in the Muslim-majority country.
France's Jewish community elects new Grand Rabbi
France's Jewish community elected the Jewish chaplain of the French army as its new Grand Rabbi, as it grapples with rising anti-Semitism.
Curfew in Sri Lanka resorts as religious riots spread
Sri Lanka's police extended a curfew across two popular coastal resorts Sunday to contain religious riots that left at least 41 people wounded and heightened tensions between Muslims and Buddhists.
US condemns Sudan over Christian woman's death penalty
US Secretary of State John Kerry criticized Sudan on Thursday for sentencing a Christian woman to hang for apostasy, urging Khartoum to repeal its laws banning Muslims from converting.
Irish examining possibility of other mass baby graves
Irish officials will investigate if the mass grave for almost 800 babies discovered near a home for unmarried mothers run by nuns is an isolated case, Prime Minister Enda Kenny said Thursday.
Six 'cult' members held over China McDonald's death
Chinese police have detained six people for beating to death a woman at a McDonald's restaurant who refused to disclose her phone number, accusing them of being members of a religious cult, state media said.
Pope begins Middle East 'pilgrimage' in Jordan
Pope Francis arrives in Jordan Saturday at the start of a Middle East tour aiming to boost ties with Muslims and Jews as well as easing an age-old rift within Christianity itself.
South Korean cardinal in first visit to North
A South Korean cardinal visited the North on Wednesday in the first trip of its kind, an official said, ahead of a visit by Pope Francis to Seoul that Catholic authorities hope will promote peace between the neighbours.
Pope attends 300,000-strong rally for Catholic schools
Pope Francis on Saturday attended a giant rally for children and teachers from Italy's Catholic schools, with the Vatican saying that 300,000 people turned out for the event in and around St Peter's Square.
Pope Francis declares John Paul II, John XXIII saints
Pope Francis on Sunday proclaimed John Paul II and John XXIII the Catholic Church's newest saints at a festive ceremony joined by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims for two pontiffs who helped shape 20th-century history.
