Pope to Artists: Church Needs You in Age of AI

Pope Leo  XIV used an address to artists on Oct.2 to draw a line, between human art and AI, the Christian Post website reports today (Oct.5, 2026).

Speaking to artists and curators in the Vatican's Consistory Hall for Art of Possibility, the pope said, There is an ontological difference -- even before an aesthetic one -- between art and what a machine can generate. 

The word ontological refers to what a thing is, whereas aesthetic refers to how it looks or sounds. Leo is arguing the difference is one of kind, not polish.

A machine can produce something that looks finished and still be a different sort of object than a painting, a song,or a poem made by a person. 

"The Church needs you," the pope said. "This is especially true in this age of artificial intelligence."

Christian Boy Pepper--Sprayed While Riding on Bike in Israel

A Christian boy was pepper--sprayed while riding a bike on Israel's holiest holiday, the Chrisian Post website reports today (Oct. 3, 3026).

The boy,an American identified only as William,said he was listening to music as he rode near the Mamilla close to the Old City walls. The Times of Israel reports "a religious man stopped him there and told him to turn his music down."

William complied and answered in English. The man then shouted,"No Ebglish,Jews!" at him. 

As William rode off,he said the man sprayed him with pepper spray.

"I thought I was going to die,"William said.

Footage from later that day shows a confused William in an ambulance.

Police have arrested 22-year-old Ganei Mod'in, a mostly ultra--Orthodox settlement near Jerusalem.

Songs of Praise" Celebrate 65 Years with Anniv.. Episode

 The BBC's long--ranging religious program, "Songs of Praise," is making its 65th anniversary with a special episode celebrating its hisrtory and changing place in Brirtish broadcasting, the Christian Today website reports today (Sept. 27, 2026).

First aired on Oct.1, 1961, the program has since produced over 3,240 episodes, recording hymns and worship songs in more than 2,000 churches, chapels, and cathedrals across the U.K., as well as in locations ranging from beaches and stadiums to concert halls and cruise ships.

96 Students Baptizrd after High School Worship Events

Nearly 100 srtudents have been baptized during the periodic worship gathering held at a Christian high school in COLORADOAFTER ATHLETIC COMPERTITIONS ,the Christian Post website reports today(Sept 25,2026).

Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch launched the 5th Quarter gathering in fall 2024 AND HOLDS THE STRUDENT--FOCUSEED WORSHIP AND TESTIONY EVENTS TWICE EACH ACADEMICYEAR. The GATHERINGS DRAw a few hundred people on average ,including students, staFF, parents  and local residentas.So far, 96 students have been baptized. 

NYC Observes 25th Anniv. of Terrorist Atacks

On tthe eve of the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, New Yorkers and people from around the world converged in a spectacle of hope and grief at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, the Christian Post  website reports today(Sept. 21,2026).

New York City observed seven moments of silence. The first six marked the precise times each tower was struck and fell; the attack on the Pentagon; and the crash of Flight 93.  

Survey: Most Protestant Churches in U.S. Have Grown Since 2023

According to new data compiled by Lifeway Research, most Protestant churches in the U.S. are growing, the Christian Today website reports today (Sept. 7, 2026).

In a survey of Protestant pastors in the U.S., 54 percent reported growth of at least four percent in their average worship service attendance since 2023.

Almost a third (30 percent) reported no growth, while only 16 percent said their church had declined  by four percent  or more.

Churches of over 250 were the  most likely to report growth (70 percent) , followed by churches in the 100--  249 bracket (64 percent), while churches of between 50 and 99 were more likely to be declining.

What Is the Holy Land?

 The Holy Land is a religious rather than an official political name, the Christian Daily website reports today (Sept. 4, 2026).

Christians generally use it for the land connected with the biblical story and life, death,and resurrection of Jesus -- including Israel,Jerusalem, and Gaza.  

For Jews,the Holy Land is closely tied to the historical and biblical land of Israel in Christianity.It is associated with the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly in Jerusalem.  

The concept of the Holy Land is deeply rooted in religious traditions and plays a central role in the beliefs and practices of these religions.