Religion
Pope Benedict’s Farewell Audience
Pope Benedict XVI has given his final public audience as Pope. On Thursday, he officially steps down and becomes Pope Emeritus.
Bulgarian Church Officials Select New Leader
Bulgarian Church officials picked a new leader over the weekend. It should have been a solemn occasion. But the church is embroiled in scandal, even as the government is on the verge of collapse.
New Contraception Law in the Philippines Shows Catholic Church’s Diminished Influence
The Roman Catholic Church is a powerhouse in the Philippines. But the recent passage of a controversial law that provides free contraception has called into question the Church’s social and political influence. It’s also put the spotlight on activists who have been challenging the Church’s power there.
Spanish Priest Commissions Graffiti for Church
A Catholic priest in Spain is trying something new to bring in parishioners. He commissioned some graffiti artists to decorate the interior of his church’s dome. But it’s graffiti in a Romanesque style.
Buddhist Morality at Myanmar’s Monastic Schools
Myanmar is getting high marks for reform. political and otherwise. Among the government’s flurry of activities is a wide-ranging review of its education system. Schools run by Buddhist monks – monastic schools – are likely to play a large part in education reform, as Bruce Wallace reports.
Matteo’s American Folk Played on Traditional Chinese Instruments
The band Matteo hails from Salt Lake City, UT. Most of the members did their Mormon mission in Taiwan, and they came back with traditional Chinese instruments. Now they use them to play American indie folk music.
The Pope’s Big News Came in … Latin
He speaks Latin, he tweets in Latin, he even brought back the Latin mass. Now Pope Benedict has resigned in Latin, and not everyone understood what he was saying.
Pope Benedict XVI Resigns
Pope Benedict XVI has announced that he is to step down at the end of February because of his frail health. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Rome correspondent Megan Williams about reaction to the surprise announcement.
Pope Benedict XVI: First Pope to Resign in 600 Years
Pope Benedict XVI has announced his resignation. He’s the first Pope to quit in almost 600 years. Anchor Marco Werman gets context from Father James Bretzke, professor of moral theology at Boston College.
Pope Announces Resignation
Pope Benedict XVI surprises the world by becoming the first pontiff to resign in nearly 600 years.
Israeli Soccer Team Clamping Down on Violence and Racism
One of Israel’s leading professional soccer clubs is going through a nasty episode of intolerance – and violence. Some of the fans of Beitar Jerusalem are angry about their team signing two Muslims. Up until a few weeks ago, the team was the only one in Israel with an all-Jewish roster.
Spain Offers Citizenship to Descendants of Jews Forced Out During the Inquisition
Spain’s offer to welcome back the descendants of Sephardic Jews who were kicked out in 1492 comes with some fine print. The descendants are welcome only if they are still practicing Jews, and many see that as unfair.
Irish Government Admits Role in Magdalene Laundries
The Irish government has acknowledged that it played a major role in running the infamous Magdalene Laundries. Thousands of women and girls were locked up against their will, and forced to perform unpaid labor in workhouses managed by Catholic nuns. The popular notion was that many were prostitutes or unwed mothers. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Mary Fenton. She was just 16 when she was sent to the Magdalene Laundries.
Muslim Girl Band Praagaash Quits After Fatwa Issued in Kashmir
The all-girl rock band Praagaash caused quite a buzz in late 2012 when they competed in Kashmir’s Battle of the Bands. But now after a slew of threatening messages on Facebook and a fatwa issued over the weekend by a top Kashmir cleric, the girls have called it quits.
Daring to go Pantless in Jerusalem
Reporter Daniel Estrin reports that going pants-less was a daring thing to do in a city filled with large populations of religiously devout Jews and Muslims.
Additional funding for PRI's The World is provided by:
