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Religion

Pope Leo will visit 4 African countries as part of his packed 2026 travel plan

ROME (AP) — The Vatican on Wednesday announced a busy and lengthy foreign travel schedule for Pope Leo XIV in the first half of 2026, confirming the pontiff will visit Monaco, Spain and four African nations — Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. The announcement sets the stage for one of the busiest papal travel schedules in years, since Leo will also be undertaking a grand tour of Italy starting in May that will take him up and down the peninsula in a half-dozen one-day visits. After Leo’s election last May as the first U.S.-born pope, papal travel had largely been ...

Hope in uncertainty and chaos

In a world filled with uncertainty, shifting values, and changing opinions, there is one thing that remains unchanging — the timeless truths and unwavering promises found in God’s Word. When life’s circumstances are unpredictable and challenging, the Word of God stands as a firm foundation, giving us hope and direction no matter what we face. 2 Timothy 3:16 TPT tells us: “God has transmitted His very substance into every Scripture, for it is God-breathed. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you ...

Local church briefs

Shoe Drive MARSH CREEK — Marsh Creek Brethren in Christ Church has been collecting shoes for the Gospel Tide’s “Your Soles for Their Souls” collection campaign. The Shoe Drive continues until March 1. This is the fifth year the Marsh Creek BIC Church has collected shoes to support Gospel Tide. Other church congregations and individuals are encouraged to search their closets and shoe racks and donate to this annual campaign. Our church coordinator is Bonnie Young, who is willing to pick up shoes locally or arrange for convenient pick-up in the community. We also have ...

Public Religion Research Institute survey finds strong support, sympathy for Christian nationalism

Roughly one in three Americans are Christian nationalists or sympathetic to the cause, according to a new survey. The survey, conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute, also found strong connections between support for Christian nationalism and support for the Republican Party and President Donald Trump in particular. “I think the threat is (to) our democracy,” said Public Religion Research Institute CEO Melissa Deckman. “We found consistently that Christian nationalists tend to endorse more illiberal views in the sense that they’re more likely to embrace more ...

Finding Faith: Real love on Valentine’s Day

Thank goodness for Hallmark on Valentine’s Day. But when it comes to real love, I believe the Bible does a better job than Hallmark can ever hope to do, because it tells us what real love is all about! Today is Valentine’s Day and romantics all over the world are finding clever ways to ...

Local churches announce Ash Wednesday services

LOCK HAVEN — Area churches are inviting members of the community to join them for their Ash Wednesday service, as many in the area gear up for Lent and, subsequently, the Easter Holiday. The Express will run Ash Wednesday services one more time on Tuesday, Feb. 17. If you would like to see your church’s information included, please email news@lockhaven.com or call 570-748-6791. The following Ash Wednesday services have been announced so far: — Laurel Run Church, 2899 Laurel Run Road, Beech Creek, 6 p.m. — Mill Hall United Methodist Church, 212 S. Water St., Mill Hall, ...