Church News

The Pope has dismissed claims that concerns about artificial intelligence amount to "fake news", directly contradicting President Donald Trump, who has called AI fears a "hoax". The exchange sets the head of the Catholic Church against the US president over how seriously the risks of artificial intelligence should be taken, adding a prominent religious voice to a growing political debate.

Pope Leo, leader of the Catholic Church, said concerns about the risks of artificial intelligence are not 'fake news' and that AI safety issues should be taken seriously and acted on. The remarks add the Vatican's moral weight to ongoing global debates about regulating AI, drawing attention from commentators discussing the ethical and economic implications of the technology.

The Pope told French bishops that the Catholic Church carries a prophetic authority to speak in the public square, addressing them on the Church's role in public life. The remarks were carried by Vatican News. The message underscores ongoing Vatican engagement with the French Church at a time of debate over secularism and religion's place in French society.

American Cardinal Robert McElroy has laid out a vision for how the Catholic Church can operate in the digital age, arguing that online communication is now central to evangelisation and pastoral life. Published through Vatican News, his reflections touch on how the Church should engage people where they increasingly live: on digital platforms and social media.

Pope Leo said that concern over artificial intelligence is not 'fake news,' while stressing that he remains optimistic about the technology. His comments add the Vatican's voice to the global debate over AI's risks and benefits, signalling that the Catholic Church takes the alarm seriously but does not want to slide into fatalism about the future.

Church officials are calling for attention to the wellbeing of workers as artificial intelligence develops rapidly. Their message, reported by EWTN News, stresses that the race to adopt AI should not come at the expense of people's livelihoods and dignity. The intervention adds a moral voice to the ongoing global debate over automation and employment.

Pope Leo has entrusted France to the Virgin Mary during a visit to Lourdes, the famed Marian pilgrimage site in southwestern France. The gesture, reported by Vatican News, carries strong symbolic weight for French Catholics and underscores the pontiff's early emphasis on Marian devotion. Details of the ceremony, its timing, and reaction from French church and political figures remain limited.

Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, said the French Church will have to "water the seeds" sown by the Pope's visit, meaning the fruits of the papal trip will depend on sustained follow-up by French Catholics. The remarks were reported by Vatican News and frame the visit as a beginning rather than an end.

Pope Leo traveled to Lourdes, France, where he said the Church must confront and heal her 'wounds, infidelities, and painful errors.' The remarks, reported by Catholic media outlets including Catholic World Report and EWTN News, frame the pilgrimage visit as an act of penance and renewal. The visit draws attention given Lourdes' status as one of Catholicism's most important Marian shrines and pilgrimage sites.

A church in Batesville, Arkansas, has shut down its daycare program, according to regional news coverage from Jonesboro-based K8 News. The report confirms the closure but gives no stated reason, and it is not yet clear how many children or staff were affected or whether the program may reopen. Local families relying on the childcare service are likely to be impacted.

The former owner of a property known as the 'Trap Church' has been arrested in Greenville County, South Carolina, according to an arrest warrant. The site drew attention after repeated incidents there, and local outlets are reporting on the arrest and the charges named in the warrant.

A Christian publication is asking whether the apparent rise of far-right figures and sympathisers attending or embracing churches is a positive development. The debate centres on whether political engagement with Christianity signals genuine conversion and moderation, or a strategic attempt to co-opt religion for nationalist causes. Commentators appear divided over what the trend means for both faith communities and politics.

Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs Church in Adams, Massachusetts, has closed indefinitely. The parish building is no longer holding services, and local coverage offers no immediate explanation for the closure. Residents of the small Berkshire town are left awaiting word on the church's future, whether the shutdown is temporary or the first step toward a permanent closure.

A lawsuit filed by a chaplain against the Anglican Church in North America has been thrown out by a court. The ruling ends the chaplain's legal challenge against the denomination, though details of the claims and the court's reasoning were not immediately available.

Legendary Movement Church has been handed the keys to the historic El Campanil Theatre in Antioch, California, according to the Antioch Herald. The transfer marks a new chapter for the landmark downtown venue, with the congregation expected to take over operations. The news is drawing attention locally as residents weigh what the change means for the theatre's future role in the community.

A groundbreaking date has been set for the Cuernavaca Mexico Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, moving the long-planned project into its construction phase. Church News reported the announcement. The temple, announced for the city of Cuernavaca in Morelos state, will serve Latter-day Saints in the region once completed.

The Vatican has announced the theme for World Communications Day 2027: 'Paying attention in the age of clickbait.' The choice signals the Church's continued focus on how digital media shapes public attention, encouraging reflection on truthfulness and depth in an online culture driven by sensational headlines. Vatican News reported the announcement, and further details are expected closer to the event.

City of Love Church is hosting a fashion show fundraiser, according to local news coverage. Details about the date, participants and how the proceeds will be used have not been widely reported yet. The event pairs a community fundraiser with fashion, drawing attention to the church's charitable activities in its local area.