Weekly religion news roundup (March 20-26, 2026)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha via Unsplash
Hannah Estifanos
Pete Hegseth’s Christian rhetoric draws renewed scrutiny after the US goes to war with Iran. Since becoming defense secretary, Pete Hegseth has found no shortage of ways to bring his strand of conservative evangelicalism into the Pentagon. Now the defense secretary’s Christian rhetoric has taken on new meaning after the U.S. and Israel went to war with Iran, an Islamic theocracy. (Associated Press)
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world amid shadow of war. People gather with family and for congregational prayers to mark the end of the holy fasting month. (Al Jazeera)
Jerusalem’s Palm Sunday procession canceled due to Iran war. In lieu of the Palm Sunday procession, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem called on Christians around the world to commit to a moment of prayer for the Holy City of Jerusalem. (Religion News Service)
How a network of ordained women got Sarah Mullally to Canterbury. When Sarah Mullally is installed as the 106th archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday, it is her gender that will likely be the most remarked upon part of her ascent to “first among equals” among Anglican bishops. (The Christian Century)
‘I’m deathly afraid’: what is digital spirituality leading us toward? Where traditional religion once gathered people together, digital spirituality is now consumed in isolation, mediated by tech gods with opaque agendas. (The Guardian)
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.
An arson attack leaves Britain’s Jewish community feeling vulnerable. The blaze in Golders Green, a London neighborhood with a large Jewish population, consumed four ambulances belonging to the volunteer organization Hatzola Northwest. (Religion News Service)
Pope Leo endorses Francis’ divisive 2016 text on Communion after civil remarriage. Pope Leo XIV on Thursday summoned Catholic bishops to Rome for a special meeting on ministering to families that takes as its starting point Leo’s strong endorsement of one of Pope Francis’ most controversial policies on marriage and divorce. (Associated Press)
3 Democratic pastors in Iowa are running for Congress, a snapshot of a national trend. Democrats’ next challenge is to figure out how to talk about faith for the long haul in a party that’s more religiously diverse than Republicans and has a greater number of voters who aren’t religious at all. (Courthouse News Service)
AU sues for information on Pentagon and Labor prayer meetings. Americans United for Separation of Church and State has filed lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Labor demanding public records related to monthly prayer meetings hosted by both agencies. (Baptist News Global)
Elevation Church’s New College Reflects a Shift in Christian Higher Ed. The influential megachurch’s new partnership with Southeastern University is an onsite training program for Christian college students. (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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