High School Administrators Demand Removal of Faith References from Valedictorian’s Address At a high school in Illinois, administrators reportedly instructed an 18-year-old Christian valedictorian to eliminate any mentions of Jesus, God, and his personal faith from his graduation speech—a decision that may soon lead to legal action. Sam Blackledge, the top student at West Prairie … Read more
Mounting Concerns Over ISIS Resurgence Security officials and intelligence sources are increasingly alarmed by indications that Islamic State fighters are regrouping across Syria and Iraq. The group appears to be capitalizing on gaps in security—moving weapons, reactivating sleeper cells, and recruiting new members—especially as U.S. military footprints shrink and political uncertainty grows in the region. … Read more
Waterbury’s Christiano Clinches Victory at the 39th Pat Griskus Sprint Triathlon Waterbury native Christopher Christiano, a 22-year-old former Holy Cross High athlete, triumphed in the 39th annual Pat Griskus Sprint Triathlon held on Saturday at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury. Competing in a challenging course featuring a half-mile swim, a 12.5-mile bike ride, and a … Read more
Vatican Honors Congolese Customs Officer with Beatification The Vatican held a ceremony on Sunday in Rome to beatify a Congolese customs official whose courageous stand against corruption made him a new symbol of sanctity. The official, who was martyred after resisting a bribe that would have allowed the distribution of spoiled rice to the needy, … Read more
Americans’ Positive Impressions of Pope Leo XIV A little over a month after Pope Leo XIV assumed office as the first U.S.-born pontiff in Catholic Church history, recent survey results indicate that American Catholics are largely enthusiastic about their new leader. Nearly two-thirds of American Catholics describe their view of the pope as either “very” … Read more
Chicago Today: A Day of Sports, Protest, and Faith Saturday in Chicago was marked by a series of significant events that sparked conversations about sports, politics, religion, and even the weather. The city buzzed with energy as fans flocked to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game against the Pirates, while thousands took to downtown streets … Read more
Pope Leo XIV Inspires Hope at White Sox Stadium Broadcast In his first address aimed particularly at Americans, Pope Leo XIV encouraged young people to discover hope and purpose through a deep connection with God and by serving others. Speaking on a giant screen at the White Sox stadium on Chicago’s South Side, he highlighted … Read more
Christian Population Growth Amid a Rapidly Expanding World From 2010 to 2020, the number of Christians saw a steady increase. However, during the same period, the global population experienced an even faster rate of growth, highlighting a notable demographic trend. Understanding the Trends The period under review underscores an important dynamic: while the Christian community … Read more
Christianity’s Shifting Demographics Recent data highlights a notable increase in the number of Christians, with the faith seeing a growth of 122 million members over the past decade. However, this expansion in absolute numbers contrasts with a decrease in Christianity’s overall share of the global population. This trend underscores the dynamic nature of worldwide religious … Read more
The Story The Supreme Court, by a 6–3 vote, affirmed a Tennessee law designed to limit specific medical treatments for transgender minors. This decision marks a notable win for parental authority in protecting children from medical procedures that could potentially lead to irreversible harm. Background Tennessee’s Senate Bill 1 restricts healthcare practitioners from administering puberty … Read more