President Obama’s new “religious tolerance” consultant to the Pentagon, Mikey Weinstein, wants Christian military service members who openly talk about their faith in uniform to be charged with treason, which is a crime punishable by death according to military law.

Valley of the Sun United Way and Mesa United Way are partnering for a special Project Connect event April 11 at Broadway Christian Church, 7335 E. Broadway Road, Mesa.

Valley of the Sun United Way and Mesa United Way will join together this week for the fifth Project Connect event held in the City of Mesa since 2009. It is an effort to prevent and end homelessness in the community.

SALT LAKE CITY — For the first time in the event's 183-year history, a woman led a prayer Saturday at the semiannual gathering of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

A colleague of mine quipped the other day that the only religion he believes in is his own. “Sure,” I countered. “You piously believe in your own opinion.”

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is the first ever from the Americas, an austere Jesuit intellectual who modernized Argentina's conservative Catholic church.

An effort to broaden tax exemptions for religious organizations is facing bipartisan opposition in the Arizona House of Representatives.

For weeks now, the women of St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Chandler have been preparing dolmathes, spanakopita, pastichio, baklava, kourambiedes, loukoumades and a wealth of other Greek delicacies in preparation for the annual spring “Taste of Greece” festival, which kicks off Friday.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Mormon church is creating 58 new missions around the world to accommodate an influx of missionaries triggered by the lowering of the minimum age.

VATICAN CITY — Benedict XVI always cast himself as the reluctant pope, a shy bookworm who preferred solitary walks in the Alps to the public glare and the majesty of Vatican pageantry. And on Monday, the Vatican announced that the leader of the world's billion Roman Catholics was stepping down — the first pontiff to do so since 1415.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI said Monday he lacks the strength to fulfill his duties and on Feb. 28 will become the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. The announcement sets the stage for a conclave in March to elect a new leader for world's 1 billion Catholics.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday he would resign Feb. 28 because he is simply too old to carry on. Here is the text of his announcement, delivered to cardinals gathered for a ceremony to name three new saints.

The Vatican announced Monday that Pope Benedict XVI is stepping down on Feb. 28. While such papal resignations are extremely rare, there are precedents in the two millennia history of the Catholic Church.

Browse the booths of this juried art festival, featuring, among others, the work of Gold Canyon and Apache Junction artists. Musicians and entertainers, including the Mariachi Pasion Band, the Yellow Bird Indian Dancers, and the Salt River 5, perform throughout the day.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's internationally-acclaimed ski resorts are the main reason people visit Salt Lake City in the winter, but there are plenty of fun, free and interesting things to do in Salt Lake City while in the area and other times of year. Here's a sampling:

Chandler Christian Community Center will host a family day of play in the snow Jan. 26.

Several Mesa residents hit the road to ring in the new year. But they weren’t looking to take part in normal New Year’s festivities like watching television as a glass ball descended a pole in Times Square, watching fireworks or clinking champagne glasses.

With dark shadows of uncertainty descending upon the hearts of so many at the conclusion of 2012, one can only hope 2013 will be a year of promise. But even in these dark days, miracles do still happen, especially when people are willing to roll up their sleeves for the cause of freedom.

East Valley students may have another higher education option in the next two years after Grand Canyon University announced plans to open a campus here.

Everyone is familiar with the Salvation Army’s bell ringers, who raise money during the holiday season to help the poor. In addition, funding from Mesa United Way helps support the Mesa Citadel Corps’ recreation, education and music programs for children, as well as its emergency food pantry.

As the Christmas countdown clock ticks away, the kiddos inevitable questions grow more frequent: Is there a Santa Claus? Why do we celebrate Christmas? Who is Baby Jesus?

In one large room, separate groups of students at Gilbert’s Bios Christian Academy gather around different teachers.

Continuing the tradition that has lasted more than three decades, the Mesa Arizona Temple Gardens will again host the spectacular Christmas lights display that is recognized as one of the most beautiful in the state.