(RNS) — Last year’s most read, most shared and most likely, in the eyes of RNS’ editors, to shape the year ahead.

The rise of Pope Leo XIV was the top 2025 international religion story, with the death of Pope Francis finishing second. On Pentecost Sunday, Pope Leo XIV left few doubts about the issue he wanted ...

Religion played a role in some of the biggest political stories of the past year. That’s likely to continue in 2026, as ...

From the U.S. presidential election to the war in Gaza, religion has played a big role in many news stories this year. The Religion News Association surveyed journalists who cover the beat and has ...

Tragedy has loomed large this year. Yet, amid violent attacks, both religiously motivated and those on college campuses, ...

The first American pope, the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, and clergy-members' response to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown are the top religion stories of 2025.

Here is an (incomplete) list of challenges faced by religion in today's world: anti-intellectuality, attempts at enforcing trust in God, becoming a political tool for power, boredom, bullying and ...