Weekly religion news roundup (March 27-April 2, 2026)
Photograph by Utsav Srestha
Hannah Estifanos
Palestinian Christians Prepare for Easter amid War and Settler Violence. Many in the community have moved abroad. Those who stay are barred from visiting holy sites. (Christianity Today)
Latin Patriarch will have access to Jerusalem holy site after police stopped entry. Israel's prime minister has said the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem will now have "full and immediate access" to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, after police earlier prevented him from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass there. (BBC News)
On the eve of Passover, most US Jews oppose the war in Iran. The poll suggests a growing rift between American Jews and Israeli Jews who have thus far supported the Iran war. (Religion News Service)
Good Friday is a unique and solemn day for Christians, with ancient prayers and fervent processions. Across Christian denominations, Good Friday services are unlike those on most other days. They often include centuries-old, once-a-year traditions both during the liturgy and out in the streets, where elaborate processions and other rituals of fervent popular piety are held.(Associated Press)
JD Vance announces a new memoir about his conversion to Catholicism. The vice-president’s follow-up to Hillbilly Elegy is announced as speculation builds over a 2028 run to succeed Trump. (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.
In wrangling dark matter, some scientists find inspiration in the Torah, Krishna and Christ. Dark matter and dark energy, which may hold answers to the origins and fate of the universe, have sparked profound religious and philosophical conversations — inspirational to some scientists, cringeworthy to others. (Associated Press)
American politicians talk about persecuted Christians abroad – but here’s what happens when those Christians migrate to the US. Coptic Christians navigate two competing realities: the narrative of Christian persecution abroad and the suspicion surrounding migrants in the contemporary US. (Religion News Service)
Texas judge rejects push to let churches make political endorsements. A group of Texas churches and the IRS agreed to nix the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits nonprofits from endorsing candidates. A Trump-appointed judge said no. (The Texas Tribune)
Police investigate Islamophobic chants during Spain’s match with Egypt. Pre-World Cup friendly in Spain marred by racist and anti-Muslim chants by the home fans. (Al Jazeera)
Nicaragua reportedly restricting Baptists and Bibles. The Nicaraguan government is ramping up its persecution of Baptist and other religious organizations and restricting the use and possession of Bibles, according to the international human and religious rights group CSW. (Baptist News Global)
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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