RELIGION

Photo Credit: Getty Images

On Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the world bid farewell to Pope Francis, a humble man whose life journey from the streets of Buenos Aires to the throne of St. Peter captured hearts across the globe. His passing marked the end of a papacy defined by compassion, reform, and relentless focus on the poor and marginalized. But before he was a global figure in white robes, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was just a soft-spoken Argentine with a deep love for books, chemistry, and God.

Photo Credit: Vatican

Pope Francis, the current head of the Catholic Church, is planning a one-day visit to the beautiful city of Verona in northern Italy in late May. The main focus of his visit will be on promoting peace and justice, and he is expected to meet with a variety of individuals, including clergy, laity, and inmates. The pope's schedule for the visit has been released by the Holy See Press Office, with the trip scheduled for May 18 on the vigil of Pentecost.

Photo Credit: United Methodist Church

In a landmark decision, the United Methodist Church overturned its four-decade-long ban on gay clergy, signaling a historic shift in its stance on homosexuality. The decision, made by a vote of 692-51 by the church's top legislative body, represents a significant moment in the Methodist community's ongoing debate over LGBTQ inclusion.