1+ day, 10+ hour ago (49+ words) The Pope has visited Istanbul's Blue Mosque during a day spent meeting both Muslim and Christian leaders. An NHS doctor who was suspended for anti-Semitic comments responded by attacking "the Israeli ... The Pope has visited Istanbul's Blue Mosque during a day spent meeting both Muslim and Christian leaders....

2+ day, 19+ hour ago (48+ words) Pope Leo has arrived in Turkey on his first foreign visit since his inauguration in May. The National Trust has been accused of anti-Christian discrimination after banning a Roman Catholic from ... Pope Leo has arrived in Turkey on his first foreign visit since his inauguration in May....

3+ day, 5+ hour ago (1007+ words) Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Turkey on his first foreign trip. The journey fulfils the late Pope Francis's plans to mark an important Orthodox anniversary and bring a message of peace to the region at a crucial time in efforts to end the war in Ukraine and ease Middle East tensions. Leo's charter plane landed at Ankara's international airport ahead of a meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a speech to the country's diplomatic corps. He will then move on to Istanbul for three days of ecumenical and interfaith meetings that will be followed by the Lebanese leg of his trip. The Pope was welcomed on the tarmac of Ankara's Esenboga Airport by a military guard of honour. Strolling along a turquoise carpet, he shook hands with tourism minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, other officials and senior church…...

3+ day, 9+ hour ago (355+ words) St Andrew's Day is nearly here, seeing'thousands of people from across'Scotland celebrate'the country's patron saint. While the national day is a long-running tradition, you may want to know why Andrew became such an important figure for Scotland. Here is everything you need to know about St Andrew's Day, which is taking place on Monday, December 1, instead of November 30 this year. St Andrew was selected as Scotland's patron saint in 1320. (Image: Getty) St Andrew's Day is celebrated in Scotland because Andrew the Apostle is the country's patron saint. Andrew was selected as Scotland's patron saint in 1320 when Scotland made an appeal to the Pope for protection against English conquest in the famous Declaration of Arbroath. He was seen as a suitable choice due to his position as the brother of Saint Peter, the founder of the church, as well as his…...

4+ day, 17+ hour ago (216+ words) STORY: :: Castel Gandolfo, Italy:: November 25, 2025:: Pope Leo's message this Thanksgiving is to 'say thank you to someone' and 'promote peace and harmony'Thanksgiving week.JOURNALIST: "It is, yes. Do you have a Thanksgiving message, something you're thankful for?"Many things I'm thankful for. I would encourage all people, especially with this beautiful feast we have in the United States, which unites all people, people of different faiths, people who perhaps do not have the gifts of faith, but to say thank you to someone. To recognise that we all have received so many gifts. First and foremost, the gift of life, the gift of faith, the gift of the unity. To encourage all people to try and promote peace and harmony, and to give thanks to God for the many gifts.Speaking to reporters in Castel Gandolfo, his residence outside Rome,…...

5+ day, 20+ hour ago (497+ words) A new disabled toilet and brew room will be added to an Ainsworth church to help protect its "longevity" amid an ageing congregation. Bury Council has approved plans for Ainsworth Unitarian Chapel, on Knowsley Road, which will see the ambulant toilet and brew room created inside the 18th-century church. A new opening light will also be installed, and the toilet and brew room will be separated via a stud wall. The church itself dates back to 1715 and was amended in 1773 and again in 1845. Listed building consent has been approved for the works, with the improvements focusing on the sections of the listed church which date back to 1773. In its application, the church said the extra facilities are an "important addition to a building that is struggling to stay in active use". The church added: "There will be no impact on…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago (467+ words) A primary school in the UK has banned pupils from singing songs from the hit Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters. The reason? The songs featured in the most-streamed movie in Netflix history could make Christians feel "deeply uncomfortable. Lilliput Church of England School in Poole, Dorset, sent a letter to parents last week requesting that they tell their children not to sing the chart-topping songs at school because of the school's "Christian ethos. Lloyd Allington, head of Lilliput Church of England Infant School, wrote: "While we fully respect your right to make choices about the content your child engages with at home, we also want to be mindful of the diversity of beliefs within our school community. "For some Christians, references to demons can feel deeply uncomfortable because they associate them with spiritual forces opposed to God and goodness....

3+ week, 2+ day ago (522+ words) Durham Cathedral will mark Remembrance Weekend with a special programme of events. The cathedral will host its 14th annual Festival of Remembrance on Saturday, November 8, followed by a Remembrance Sunday service the following day. Pam Royle, British television journalist and presenter, will return to narrate the festival, which is held in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund. Ms Royle said: "It is a great privilege to join such a talented cast for another year to narrate the Festival of Remembrance. "Audiences from previous years have remarked upon the warm greeting they receive from staff and volunteers when they arrive and how much they enjoy being in the magnificent splendour of Durham Cathedral." This year's event will mark the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, honouring those who contributed to the liberation of Europe and…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (772+ words) Communities across Redcar and Cleveland are preparing to gather in remembrance of fallen servicemen and women. A total of 23 services and wreath-laying ceremonies will take place across the borough to mark Remembrance Sunday, each honouring the sacrifices of those who served in the armed forces. Councillor Ian Hart, Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland, said: "Remembrance Sunday is a sacred day. "It's a chance to remember all those who have served " including those who gave the ultimate sacrifice " and their families. "We also pay tribute to all those who continue to serve our nation. "I urge everyone to attend a service if they can or at least take a moment to reflect." The majority of services will be held on Sunday, November 9, with the exceptions of Normanby and Teesville, where commemorations will take place the day before. Remembrance Sunday at Coatham…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (425+ words) REMEMBERANCE Sunday services to honour the fallen will take place across Inverclyde this weekend. Inverclyde Council have confirmed the times for the annual commemorations which will take place in Greenock, Gourock, Port Glasgow, Kilmacolm, Inverkip and Wemyss Bay on Sunday, November 9. There will be church services across Inverclyde before wreaths are laid at local cenotaphs and war memorials, with everyone joining in the national two-minute silence at 11am. Representatives from Inverclyde Council, the area's local MP and MSPs, as well as representatives of the Lord Lieutenant, the Armed Forces and local organisations will attend various Remembrance Day services. Inverclyde Council leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, will attend a service in Port Glasgow while the depute leader, Councillor Natasha McGuire, will represent the council in Gourock. Provost Drew McKenzie, who will lead the service in Greenock, said:The people of Inverclyde always take…...