Weekly religion news roundup (February 13-19, 2026)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Hannah Estifanos
Jesse Jackson dies at 84: Tributes pour in for civil rights icon. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of the world's best-known Black activists who worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr., died February 17 at the age of 84. (USA Today)
Ramadan begins in Palestine, Gulf; Egypt, Syria, more Muslim states to come. Palestinians in Gaza face food shortages, restrictions as Israeli attacks continue during Islamic holy month. (Al Jazeera)
Cardinal Tobin leads Ash Wednesday Masses inside New Jersey ICE facility. The Newark bishops are the only confirmed U.S. bishops who plan to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass in an ICE detention facility. (Religion News Service)
Lunar New Year prayers, robots and festivities usher in the Year of the Horse. Traditional prayers, fireworks and fairs marked the Lunar New Year on Tuesday — alongside 21st-century humanoid robots. (Associated Press)
Monks conclude 15-week ‘Walk for Peace’ in Washington. A group of Buddhist monks reached Washington, D.C., on foot Feb. 10, walking single file across a bridge over the Potomac River to cap a 15-week trek from Texas that has captivated the country. (AFRO News)
Each week in The Christian Citizen, we publish a Religion News Roundup with summaries of religion news stories and links for those who want to read more.
Texan plans to turn Epstein ranch into Christian retreat. Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico has been bought by an ultra-conservative Texas businessman and politician who plans to convert it into a Christian retreat center. (Baptist News Global)
For its 400th anniversary, St. Peter’s Basilica to get 21st-century upgrade, Vatican announces. Four hundred years after its consecration, St. Peter’s Basilica is getting a 21st-century upgrade, with the Vatican unveiling plans for AI-powered translation services, expanded pilgrim access and high-tech structural monitoring as part of yearlong anniversary celebrations. (OSV News)
Watchdogs say Russian church helped recruit young Kenyans who have fought in Ukraine. The alleged pipeline is a sign that the Russian state is leveraging its national church’s expansion into Africa. (Religion News Service)
Belgium summons US ambassador over antisemitism accusation. Belgium summoned the U.S. ambassador to the nation for a meeting Tuesday after he accused the country of antisemitic prosecution of Jewish Belgians in a social media post. (The Hill)
Catholic cross like no other is a beacon of unity in Olympic host city Milan. The Cross of the Athletes has arrived in Milan for the Winter Games and holds pride of place beside the main altar in the Basilica of San Babila. (Religion News Service)
Hannah Estifanos is the copyeditor of The Christian Citizen.
The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
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