Pope Leo gets rock star's reception in Lebanon, drawing cheers, celebrations Pope Leo began his second day in crisis-hit Lebanon with visits to notable Christian shrines in the country and an interfaith meeting in the capital, Beirut. Lebanon
Lebanon celebrates Pope Leo’s visit as Israel escalates attacks The pontiff's visit to Lebanon comes as many in the country fear a potential restart of the war between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon
In first foreign visit, Pope Leo meets Erdogan, urges Turkey to uphold pluralism On his inaugural foreign visit to Turkey, Pope Leo called for respect for pluralism after meeting with the Turkish president. Turkey
Analysis Pope Leo in Turkey, navigating faith, politics and Orthodox tensions The visit will bolster Turkey’s image on religious tolerance and shared positions with the Vatican while Ankara navigates sensitive issues surrounding the Halki Seminary and the Greek Patriarchate’s ecumenical status. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Israel scrambles for strategy as Mamdani’s NYC victory sparks alarm By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Analysis As Trump hosts Sharaa, Israel cautiously seeks Syria security deal By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Israel agrees to allow entry of 5,000 Ethiopians with links to Judaism Israel's National Security Council had initially opposed the proposal to bring in more Falash Mura. Israel
Mixed feelings in Israel over first Druze city Residents of Maghar would have preferred Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked to announce it as a new Arab city, and not as the first Druze city in Israel. Israel
Egypt churches play matchmaker as Christians' marriages decline Egypt's churches are trying to help their unmarried male and female members tie the knot, but the move is making some people angry. Egypt
Egypt celebrates Prophet's birthday with Sufi music stars Egypt held the first Mawlid festival with Sufi chanting performances to highlight the main core of Sufism, which is combining all religions and urges people to accept each other, whatever their religion is. Culture
Children's books share Sudan's endangered Nobiin with new readers Three Nubian-Sudanese writers have published children's books written in the Nobiin language and using the Old Nubian script. Culture
Israeli minister promotes controversial reform on conversion into Judaism Minister of Religious Affairs Matan Kahana is determined to break the monopoly of ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate over conversions into Judaism. Israel
Egypt strengthens influence in Africa through church The Egyptian government is working through the Egyptian Orthodox Church in Africa, especially in the Nile Basin countries, as part of a soft power strategy to boost its influence in light of the crisis over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Three Israeli ministers visit Emirates on sidelines of Dubai expo Three Israeli ministers are using the opportunity of the 2020 Dubai Expo to visit the country and meet with their Emirati counterparts. Israel
Jewish Israelis flock to Temple Mount in greater numbers Despite warnings from some rabbis that visits are forbidden, more Jewish Israelis are ascending the Temple Mount than ever. Israel
Sisi statements spark debate about status for Egyptian atheists The Egyptian president's remarks on human rights have drawn attention to freedom of belief for the nonreligious. Egypt
LISTEN: Assyrian Church of the East elects new patriarch The new leader of the historic church must now navigate the unique political and spiritual challenges facing his shrinking community in Iraq and its worldwide diaspora. Iraq
Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew I set to meet Biden at White House The patriarch will also meet Ankara's US ambassador while in Washington. Turkey
