RMC Weekly Round-up 16 May 2025

Image credit: Piers Morgan Uncensored, YouTube

This is our weekly newsletter of religion news and updates about the Religion Media Centre, which we post every Friday afternoon.

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A week of headlines for Pope Leo:

  • Cardinal Nichols: ‘No rancour or competitiveness’ in vote for Pope >>
  • Why Pope Leo XIV chose his name >>
  • Leo told the cardinals he would follow the ‘precious legacy’ of his predecessor Francis >>
  • On the first Sunday, the Pope made powerful plea: ‘No more war’ >>
  • Speaking to 6,000 journalists, Pope Leo tells them to foster peace and reject hatred >>
  • Zelensky invites Pope to visit Ukraine >>
  • Clues about hhis ideas from his digital footprint >>
  • Complaints over Pope’s handling of sex abuse cases, but his record has been explained and defended >>
  • Pope Leo visits his Augustinian base near the Vatican >>
  • British Ambassador expects new papacy will continue soft power of dialogue >>
  • Dignitaries line up for Pope Leo’s inauguration this Sunday>>
    (Pic: © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk)

In our media briefing, speakers pieced together clues about Pope Leo XIV from previous statements and testimony, which suggested he would be moderate, following Pope Francis’ reforms, a missionary Pope seeking to build bridges and promote dialogue. View the briefing again or listen to the podcast via links on our website here.

Be prepared for comedy gold as Pope Leo’s brother Louis offers opinions and insight on his new role, from the initial shock: ‘OMG, it’s Rob!’, to a 30-minute interview with Piers Morgan, Pope Leo himself has no shortage of stories. He went online straight away and was filmed with world number one Italian tennis player Jannik Sinner.


MPs are discussing the Assisted Dying Bill in the Commons today, voting on 44 amendments, including allowing expert panels to approve cases, rather than the High Court, a change which has attracted opposition. It’s reported that the bill faces difficulties being passed, with at least 15 MPs from different parties who originally backed it, now having second thoughts. Telegraph live page here.

British Rabbis Laura Janner-Klausner and Warren Elf launchd a campaign to demand immediate humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas. The World Council of Churches condemned ‘atrocities being perpetrated in Gaza’ >>

Buddhists held ceremonies across the world, including the UK, to commemorate Vesak, marking the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. Number Ten Downing Street posted good wishes and the London Eye was lit in purple in honour of the day. Reuters report in pictures here.


Other news ..

Setback in selection of next Archbishop of Canterbury >>
Bishop of Carlisle finally appointed after almost two-year wait >>
Sam Wells and Lucy Winkett affirm same sex relationships and leadership of women >>
Tributes to Rev Ronald Corp, ‘champion of choral music’ >>
Members of commission to select next Archbishop of Canterbury are named >>
Queen lays foundation stone laid for “King Charles III sacristy” >>
‘Migrants are not strangers, but friends’ says Bishop of Chelmsford >>
 
Joint statement: ‘Jews and Muslims are formidable when they work together’ >>
Board of Deputies appeals for release of remaining Israeli hostages >>
Charity Commission inquiry into £22million cheques for cash exchange >>
Muslims ‘three times as likely to oppose assisted dying as non-Muslims’ >>
 
Bangor Cathedral sends another serious incident report to the Charity Commission >>
Council U-turns on ban for street preachers ‘causing alarm and distress’ >>
Women arrested at Quaker Meeting House speak to the Guardian >>
Scotland takes a step closer to allowing assisted dying >>
Government urged to extend and uplift grant scheme for church building repairs >>
Calvin Robinson has license to officiate as a priest revoked again >>
Dispute continues over Scotland Bishop Anne Dyer >>
Monk on trial for sex assault at Ampleforth >>
 
US poll finds non-religion plateauing and main Christian traditions in decline >>
Episcopal Church refuses to resettle white Afrikaners and ends partnership with US government >>
South African cleric supports US church refusal to resettle white refugees >>
Washington State tells clergy to report child abuse disclosed in confessions >>
Belgian police raids into ‘illegal’ circumcisions >>
Shrine of Fatima procession heralds centenary year >>

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