May 8 Ever feel like Bibles are too small? Mainz Cathedral in Germany is displaying the world’s largest Bible page, measuring 5 x 7.2 meters (16.4 x 23.6 feet), to honor Johannes Gutenberg’s 625th birthday. The page, which uses traditional letterpress printing, features the first chapter of John’s Gospel. The exhibition also includes a reading corner and invites visitors to share favorite Bible passages. A cathedral concert on August 24 will conclude the event. (Christian Daily)

May 8 After less than two days of deliberations, the papal conclave in Rome has selected the new Pope: Robert Francis Prevost, who has chosen the name Leo XIV. Pope Leo XIV will be only the second pope from the Americas (after Francis) and the first from the United States. His first words as he greeted the crowd at St. Peter’s were, “Peace be with all of you,” and his speech focused on the theme of peace. (Vatican News)

May 7 A Pew Research Center study involving over 50,000 participants across 36 countries reveals widespread belief in spirits and life after death. Over 80% of adults in Indonesia and Kenya, and 70% in the U.S., affirm belief in an afterlife. Perhaps more surprising, 81% in Turkey, 70% in Israel, and 57% in the U.S. believe that animals can have spirits. Younger adults are often more likely than older generations to hold these beliefs. (Religion Unplugged, from Pew Research)

May 7 A study by Florida State University suggests that God-centered relationships are stronger and more enduring. Couples who prayed together daily reported feeling closer, more unified, and trusting compared to those who engaged in other positive interactions. The Institute for Family Studies supports these findings, noting that shared spiritual practices like prayer enhance forgiveness, communication, and resilience during challenges. (RELEVANT)

May 6 Data from the “State of Church Tech 2025” report reveals that while AI adoption in U.S. churches has surged by 80%, pastors remain hesitant to use it for sermon preparation. Instead, AI is primarily used for operational tasks like creating emails, social media posts, and other communication materials. Most church leaders (86%) say it can help strengthen community connections, but prefer to rely on the Holy Spirit for spiritual leadership. (Christian Today)

May 5 On Saturday, over 7,750 people were baptized at Huntington Beach, California, marking the largest single-day baptism event in U.S. history. Organized by more than 300 churches, the event included worship led by Bethel Music, Kari Jobe, and Cody Carnes. It also previewed “Baptize America,” a nationwide synchronized baptism initiative set for June 8, Pentecost Sunday, aiming to unite churches in fulfilling the Great Commission. (RELEVANT)

May 5 The “Adopt a Cardinal” initiative, launched during the 2013 conclave and revived for the current one, allows lay Catholics to spiritually support cardinals by praying for them. The program assigns participants a cardinal to pray for, fostering unity and connection across the global body of Christ. Other people, perhaps not the praying types, are putting money down instead (except in Italy, where it’s illegal). (RNS and AP)

May 4 The 2025 Evangelical Press Association convention in Branson, Missouri, gathered Christian communicators to explore their calling. Author Mary DeMuth opened with a keynote urging writers to persevere through obscurity, rejection, and pain, and emphasizing lament as a tool for healing. Citing Isaiah 59:14, she called truth-telling a form of spiritual warfare, urging writers to remain faithful to their mission. (Christian Daily)

May 4 Over 60,000 Christians gathered in Mexico City on April 26, 2025, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the March for Jesus. The peaceful event featured music, prayer, and gospel messages, emphasizing unity and faith. Organized by Pablo Quiroa, the march included worship bands, dances, and Bible distribution. Participants called for peace and healing amid national concerns about violence, concluding with a prayer for Mexico’s leaders. (Christian Daily)

May 4 The death of Pope Francis and the start of the conclave. Graffiti in the Upper Room and tax forgery in the Judean desert. Conventions in Europe, Korea, and America; growth of the church in England; persecution of the church in Nicaragua, China, and Nigeria. Some very controversial back-and-forths about the manner of Jesus’ crucifixion. And tons of statistics (26% of all April posts contained a trend or statistic)! Revisit the biggest, strangest, and most inspiring Bible and church news stories of April!