Weekly religion news roundup (June 26-July 2, 2026)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Hannah Estifanos
From prayer circles to sujood, religion is all over the 2026 World Cup. While some have said over and over again that soccer (football) is the closest thing that the secular world has to a universal religion, different faith traditions have been showing up during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here are five recent examples. (The Christian Century)
Israel bans call to prayer at Hebron's Ibrahimi Mosque for fifth day. Palestinians say latest measures deepen Israeli control over occupied West Bank site. (Middle East Eye)
In Trump’s America, two very different views of Christianity in politics emerge. Adherence to organized religion is falling in the United States, but defenders of the religious right are ascendant in positions of power in the Trump administration. But argument from Trump officials that the US as a “Christian nation” is at odds with the views of the values of Christians on the left, who think government should do more to help people who need it. (CNN)
Strike on Kyiv cathedral highlights rush to preserve Ukrainian artifacts. The Ark for Ukraine project has brought three mobile labs in vans to Ukraine to help preserve Ukrainian cultural heritage by scanning archives of thousands of manuscripts, artifacts and even buildings to digitize them. (Religion News Service)
These church members disagree on politics. Together they’re wiping out medical debt. The Rev. John Jackman of Trinity Moravian in Winston-Salem, N.C., says the church’s medical debt campaign has brought together people across the political spectrum. “This is the easiest money I've ever raised,” he says. (NPR)
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.
As Supreme Court clears way to deport Haitians and Syrians, faith leaders prepare for what's next. In a Supreme Court ruling released Thursday, the court sided with the Trump administration in a decision that could leave more than 350,000 Haitians and roughly 6,000 Syrians living in the US vulnerable to deportation. (The Christian Century)
Pope promotes Italian nun to top migrant role in his first major appointment of a woman to Holy See. With the appointment of Italian Sister Alessandra Smerilli, Leo appears to be following suit of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who made a point of promoting women to top-level management positions within the Holy See as part of his response to calls by women for greater decision-making roles in the church. (Religion News Service)
Khadijah Farrakhan, ‘first lady of Nation of Islam’ as wife of famous pastor, dies at 90. Louis Farrakhan stepped into the organization’s leadership vacuum shortly after Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965. (NBC News)
Child liberation theologian R.L. Stollar dies. Child liberation theologian and abuse survivor advocate Ryan L. Stollar died June 28 at age 42. (Baptist News Global)
Fears of Catholic schism as defiant sect ordains ultra-conservative bishops. Consecrations by Society of Saint Pius X bring automatic excommunication for bishops – and crisis for Pope Leo. (The Guardian)
Venezuelan Churches Step In as Government Earthquake Recovery Disappoints. With 1,450 dead and many more missing, Christians are collecting donations, feeding the displaced, and providing medical care. (Christianity Today)
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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