Sunday

King Charles and Pope Leo made history in the Sistine Chapel by praying side by side - a first for the leaders of the Church of England and Catholic Church. In this week's edition of our series on the study of religion, theologian Robert Beckford goes back to school to explore the teaching of RE at GCSE and A Level. Halloween may be on the minds of trick or treaters, however another festival is celebrated at this time of year - we explore Samhain that's observed by followers of Paganism.PRESENTER: EDWARD STOURTON PRODUCERS: KATY BOOTH & CATHERINE MURRAY STUDIO MANAGERS: JOE STICKLER & CHRIS WALKER EDITOR: CHLOE WALKER

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week with Julie Etchingham.

It's a new dawn in Gaza as the ceasefire holds, we hear from the Catholic aid agency ready to send aid to Palestinians returning to where their homes once stood. Israeli families countdown to the release of the hostages they've longed for: we hear from those already released on why their Jewish faith deepened in captivity.Does Andy Burnham 'do God?' The Mayor of Greater Manchester says it is time for faith communities to help form a bedrock for a new vision of local government - and he credits Pope Francis with the idea of fostering a new culture of encounter.PRESENTER: JULIE ETCHINGHAM PRODUCERS: CATHERINE MURRAY & KATY BOOTH STUDIO MANAGERS: MIKE SMITH & ADAM DOLAN EDITOR: CHLOE WALKER

A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week with William Crawley.

One man has a special insight into the qualities needed to be the next Archbishop of Canterbury; Rt Rev Lord Richard Harries has known the last 7 holders of the office. With the new incumbent potentially days or weeks away from being appointed, he takes us through some of the characteristics that will stand them in good stead. Emily speaks to Phyllis Zagano, leading expert on the subject of women deacons about whether Pope Leo will continue progress on the question.In the week the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia died aged 82, we ask who will replace him and will the country continue on a modernising path away from strict religious customs? China has published a new code of conduct detailing what clergy may and may not do online, warning them against internet fortune telling, or using AI for preaching. So is this an attempt to rein in the overcommercialisation of religious life, or a move to control religious freedom? PRODUCERS: Catherine Murray & Katy Booth EDITOR: Catherine Earlam PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR : Pete Liggins STUDIO MANAGERS: Kelly Young & Chris Mather

As the United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary, William Crawley talks to Adrian Gallagher, Professor in Global Security about whether the UN has lived up to its founding principles.Britain's Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, has condemned the UK decision to formally recognise Palestinian statehood this week as "an historic error of foreign policy", but could this action forge a way to peace?We're used to seeing faith and religion portrayed in books and films, but now it's religion inspiring video games. The Gaming Vicar, Rev Simon Archer, explains the fascination with religion in video games.On Sunday an open letter in the Sunday Times accused the organisers of the "Unite the Kingdom" rally in central London of misusing Christianity and co-opting Christian symbols.. Pastor Rikki Doolan, who brought Tommy Robinson to faith, explains why the bible should be at the heart of British culture and decision making. We get reaction from Rt Rev Rose Hudson Wilkin and Dr Maria Power, Co editor of "The Church, the Far Right, and the Claim to Christianity" talks to William about the rise of Christian nationalism.Presenter: William Crawley Producers: Amanda Hancox and Katy Davis Studio Managers: Philip Halliwell and Ben Swift Editor: Tim Pemberton

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is being seen as a dangerous moment between left and right in US politics. Sunday explores the Christian nationalist background to the story with Professor Gordon Lynch of Edinburgh UniversityEdward speaks to Bishop Mariann Budde, the woman who memorably asked President Trump to have mercy on marginalised groups in his inaugural prayer service in Washington. Is there a generation gap in Britain's mosques? The head of the Muslim Council of Britain expresses his fears about the 'painful revolution' that could be on the cards if the divide between old and young isn't addressed. We're asking if there's a generation gap in your place of worship and what you've done to address it. Email sunday@bbc.co.uk Pope Leo turns 70 today. Has he given a birthday present to devotees of the Traditional Latin Mass? He announced that Cardinal Burke will be celebrating such a service in St Peter's Basilica in October for the first time since Pope Francis placed restrictions on the form. Edward speaks to Vatican 2 expert Massimo Faggioli from Trinity College Dublin & Catholic commentator Melanie McDonagh. PRESENTER: Edward Stourton PRODUCERS: Catherine Murray & Katy Booth EDITOR: Catherine Earlam STUDIO MANAGERS: Chris Hardman & Patrick Shaw

Pope Leo will preside over a service of canonisation for the first time today. The ceremony also stands out because of the age of one of those being made a saint; Carlo Acutis, who was British born, was just 15 when he died of leukaemia. We discuss the significance of soon-to-be Saint Carlo Acutis with BBC’s Religion Editor Aleem Maqbool. Musa al-Sadr was a hugely influential Lebanese-Iranian Shia cleric. He disappeared on a visit to Libya in 1978, and although there have been persistent rumours that he was killed by the Gaddafi regime, no one has been able to say for sure what happened to him. A new BBC Eye documentary called ‘The Mystery of Musa al-Sadr’ may have the answer. We speak to the programme’s producer and reporter, Moe Shreif. It has been a long wait - for eight months there has been no archbishop of Canterbury. We are now being told that we will know the name of the next leader of the Church of England and indeed the worldwide Anglican communion by the end of September or early in October. The process of choosing him - or, perhaps, for the first time, her - takes place behind closed doors, but we asked Madeleine Davies of the Church Times to take us through the most-talked about candidates. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Katy Davis & Linda Walker Production Coordinator: Kim Agostino Studio Managers: Olivia Miceli & Mike Smith Editor: Dan Tierney

William Crawley examines the place of prayer in the aftermath of the school shooting that left two children dead and many injured. It comes as the Mayor of Minneapolis spoke out about the need for action rather than 'thoughts and prayers'. He hears about the threat to the future of theology courses at undergraduate level and asks if you put a theology degree to good use? Dame Jasvinder Sanghera and Yasmin Javed, whose daughter was murdered by her husband, discuss the importance of the government's new definition of honour-based crime. We hear the long-lost music of Buckland Abbey, discovered in a 500 year old book and brought back to life by a choir in 2025.The Bishop of Oxford has written an open letter to Nigel Farage after the leader of Reform announced his vision to crackdown on small boat crossings. Steven Croft is in discussion with Tim Montgomerie, activist and member of Reform about whether Christian values and migration measures are in tension.Presenter: Williams Crawley Producers: Catherine Murray & Bara'atu Ibrahim Production Coordinator: Paul Holloway Studio Managers: Adam Dolan & Nat Stokes Editor: Tim Pemberton

As the meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin fail to produce a ceasefire in Ukraine, we talk to Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski about the response of displaced Ukrainians in the UK.The Daily Telegraph Defence Editor says it is becoming too dangerous to report in certain parts of the world and explains why St Bride’s, the journalist’s church in Fleet Street, has become a sanctuary for her.This week Gary Grant, the founder of the UK’s biggest toy shop, announced he was handing over its ownership to its 1900 members of staff. We ask him why.Former priest Kenneth Wilson talks to Julie Etchingham about his pilgrimage to play at 42 Anglican Cathedrals in England with his cello strapped to his customised bike.And have the Shrimps been saved? As the future of Morecombe FC lies in the balance, a prayer vigil is held to help save the club.Producers: Amanda Hancox and James Leesley Studio Managers: Nathaniel Danter, Georgia-Mae Browne, Sharon Hughes Production Co-Ordinator: Liz Poole Editor: Tim Pemberton

It's Ukraine's independence day, a state holiday begun after the break with the old Soviet Union in 1991. Churches across the world have been invited to join a global prayer chain to call for peace. We are joined by Nadiyka Gerbish, a writer and podcaster living in Ternopil in Western Ukraine, and part of the Calvary Chapel Church. The Mezquita, or Great Mosque in the Spanish city of Cordoba is a unique jewel of both Islamic and Christian architecture. Just over two weeks ago we were getting news of a fire there and we immediately wondered if this was, like Notre Dame Cathedral in 2019, going to be another national disaster. Luckily the fire didn't spread, but still there's a major restoration job underway. Guy Hedgecoe reports for us from southern Spain.For two Church of England priests the command to 'take up your cross', became 'take up your paddle'. The Reverend Christina Rees and the Reverend Patrick Forbes decided to kayak down the Great Ouse - an 85 mile journey - to raise money for charity. While Cambodia has been in the news for escalating tensions with Thailand, today we’re bringing you a story of reconciliation. Since 2014, Hindu and Buddhist masterpieces housed in museums and private collections in the West, have been slowly returning Cambodia. Just last summer, 22 were welcomed back. The artefacts were looted from temples during the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime in the late 1970s, and its turbulent aftermath. We hear from investigators, and former looters, who are now working together to bring the sacred statues back to Cambodia. Producers: Katy Davis and Linda Walker Presenter: Emily Buchanan Editor: Chloe Walker Studio Managers: George Willis and Georgia-Mae Browne

BBC Director Ellena Wood talks about her documentary and podcast 'Inside the Cult of Jesus Army' which examines the puritanical sect founded by Noel Stanton and tells how former members are coming to terms with the damage it inflicted on their lives. Stand-up David Rose takes his show: 'Our Hebrew Friend' to the Edinburgh Fringe. It tackles the complicated legacy of his great grandfather, a music hall entertainer who found fame by playing up to anti-semitic stereotypes. Our reporter Rosie Dawson is in Lancashire where vicars and imams are building bridges on the cricket pitch.Is there a role for AI chatbots when it comes to faith and spirituality? Emily Buchanan explores whether they could help with prayer and guidance, hears from Paul Powers who developed a GPT Jesus and looks at the ethics behind using artificial intelligence in religion with Dr Scott Midson - Lecturer in Digital Theology, at Manchester University - and Dr Alba Curry - Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Leeds.Correspondent Jon Donnison is in Jerusalem where a date of Oct 7th has been set for residents to leave Gaza City after a controversial Israeli government plan to take control of the area. Emily hears about the row over Haredi conscription in Israel which has caused some Ultra-Orthodox leaders to declare war on the governmentPRODUCERS : CATHERINE MURRAY & LINDA WALKER STUDIO MANAGERS: MIKE SMITH & ETHAN CONNOLLY-FORSTER PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR: LIZ POOLE EDITOR: CHLOE WALKER

The Board of Deputies of British Jews hosted an emergency meeting this week in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. A statement followed, which called for, “a rapid, uninhibited, and sustained increase in aid through all available channels”. It goes on to say, “food must not be used as a weapon of war, by any side in this conflict.” We get the latest on the conflict from a correspondent and speak to Phil Rosenberg – President of The Board of Deputies of British Jews.This week, it’s been announced that Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the world-renowned Shaolin Temple, is being investigated by multiple agencies for embezzlement, "improper relationships with multiple women" and "fathering illegitimate children". Emily Buchanan speaks to BBC China correspondent Stephen McDonell about the religious significance of the Shaolin temple in China & the reaction on the ground to news of the latest scandal.The archbishop of Warsaw, Poland, has asked the Vatican to defrock a priest charged with the killing of a 68-year-old homeless man who was beaten with an axe and set on fire. The priest, identified only as Miroslaw M in line with Polish privacy rules, is believed to have had an argument with the victim over housing. The priest admitted the crime after being arrested. Emily Buchanan speaks to Jonathan Luxmoore – a journalist and author who specialises in Catholic Church affairs in Europe and who was based in Poland for more than a decade.Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Katy Davis Production Coordinator: Liz Poole Studio Managers: Kelly Young & Grant Cassidy Editor: Tim Pemberton

When the first part of the report into the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry was published earlier this month, it revealed the devastating impact of that scandal on the lives of those wrongly accused of fraud. William Crawley hears from a former sub-postmaster, Tom Hedges, who says his personal faith and the support of his church was a source of strength for him when he was wrongly accused of stealing from the Post Office. While the war in Gaza continues, many independent agencies claim that Israeli settlers have used the cover of war to expand their illegal settlements in other occupied Palestinian territories. And now an historic mosque has become, for some, emblematic of the growing power of settlers over local populations.The 12th century German Benedictine nun Hildegard of Bingen was almost entirely forgotten for about 900 years until being rediscovered in the 1970s. Many contemporary musicians have been inspired by Hildegard. We’ve been learning more about this medieval polymath from Fiona Maddocks, the Observer's music critic and author of Hildegard of Bingen: The Woman of Her Age.Presenter: William Crawley Producers: Katy Davis & James Leesley Studio Managers: Chris Mather & George Willis Editor: Dan Tierney

Syria is facing perhaps its gravest crisis since the fall of the Assad regime last December. It began with sectarian clashes between Druze and Bedouins in the southern province of Sweida. Hundreds of people are reported to have been killed since sectarian clashes between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes erupted in the province on Sunday. The Druze religion is an offshoot of Shia Islam with its own unique identity and beliefs. In addition to Syria, there are sizeable communities of Druze in Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the occupied Golan Heights. Edward Stourton speaks to Dr Omar Imady, Senior Fellow, Centre for Syrian studies.Roman Catholic Cardinal Pizzaballa and the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem have been visiting the Christian communities in Gaza and delivering 500 tons of aid after the Church of the Holy Family was hit by an Israeli Strike. Two women aged 84 and 69 were killed along with the 60-year-old janitor of the church. Nine others were injured including the parish priest Fr Gabriel Romanelli. The office of the Israeli PM issued a statement saying it regrets that stray munition hit the church and that it is committed to protecting civilians and holy sites. Sunday hears from Anton Asfar of the Catholic relief agency Caritas - he's based in Bethlehem but works closely with the Holy Family parish as well as Cardinal Vincent Nichols.One hundred years ago, the trial of John T Scopes began, where a US high school teacher was charged by the state of Tennessee for teaching the theories of evolution. Nick Spencer, is senior fellow at the Christian think tank Theos. He joined the commemorative events, and, speaking from Dayton Tennessee, he told Edward Stourton why the trial attracted so much attention.Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Catherine Murray Production Coordinator: Liz Poole Studio Managers: Jack Morris & Olivia Miceli Editor: Tim Pemberton

As the Church of England prepares parishes to be a ‘church in a time of conflict’, we hear from the Bishop to the Armed Forces, the Rt Rev Hugh Nelson, as the Church’s governing body – General Synod – meet in York. We consider the conflicts within the Church that will be debated at Synod - and discuss how members are set to scrutinise the Redress scheme, intended to support victims of abuse within the Church. 2025 marks 50 years since Jackie Tabick became the first female Progressive Rabbi ordained in the UK. Many women have followed in Rabbi Tabick’s footsteps, including Rabbi Kulikovsky and Rabbi Altorf who were ordained at special event last week at the Leo Baeck College in London. We hear from them about their roles - and look at what's changed in those 50 years.This summer, the BBC are covering a whole host of women's games as part of their 'Names Will Be Made' summer of sport. But what role does religion play for athletes on and off the pitch? Producer Katy Davis speaks to three women of faith at the top of their game: England Netballer Ellie Rattu; UEFA coach Yasmin Hussein and Wales Rugby Player Sisi Tuipulotu. For more behind the scenes interviews and updates, head to the BBC Women's Summer of Sport website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/womens-summer-of-sportFriday 11th of July was a 30 year memorial service to mark the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia, where over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim boys and men were killed by Serb forces, during the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica - in one of Europe's worst atrocities since World War 2. Julie Etchingham hears from award winning photojournalist Alixandra Fazzina, who has returned to Bosnia 30 years after the war. We also hear from Islamic Relief's Shahin Ashraf, one of the few charity organisations who provided support during the war and are still today, helping Bosniaks rebuild their lives in Srebrenica.Presenter: Julie Etchingham Producers: Katy Davis and James Leesley Studio Managers: George Willis and Sam Mills Editor: Chloe Walker

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has confirmed that he will have a successor after his death, ending years of uncertainty - but China has other ideas. Hundreds of followers gathered to hear the long-awaited announcement in the Indian town of Dharamshala where the Dalai Lama lives. The leader of Tibetan Buddhism also celebrates his 90th birthday this Sunday. Sunday hears from BBC correspondent Samira Hussein, and explores the Dalai Lama's message further with Ms. Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar, a Tibetan MP from the Tibetan Parliament in Exile. How does a politician of faith balance their religious beliefs with the responsibilities to their party, and to their constituents? This week, Evangelical Christian Rachel Maskell MP successfully lead a backbench rebellion against Keir Starmer’s welfare reforms. The defeat has had ongoing consequences since then, with commentators asking if the defeat has put Prime Minister’s credibility at risk. Protests in Turkey as newspaper staff are arrested for publishing a cartoon alleged to be of the Prophet Mohammad and Moses shaking hands over a bombed out city. Editor in Chief of LeMan satirical magazine says the cartoon has been intentionally misinterpreted. Emily Buchanan explores how modern Turkey- created as a secular state - seems to have changed over time, and how blurred the lines have now become separating state and faith?Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Rosie Dawson Studio Managers: Nick Woodsford & Sharon Hughes Editor: Tim Pemberton

The Church of England is facing serious criticism from a stalking victim for failing to keep him safe. The victim was a male volunteer church warden, the stalker a woman lay preacher. He says he reported what was happening to the Church authorities - including Martyn Snow, the Bishop of Leicester. Ed Stourton is joined by the BBC's Religion Editor, Aleem Maqbool, who has helped uncover this story. The American Pew foundation has just published the results of one of its most ambitious projects - plotting How the Global Religious Landscape has changed over the past decade. They sifted through some 2,700 new sources of data - for the results we spoke to the lead author, Conrad Hackett.It’s Glastonbury weekend and we’re exploring faith on the farm. We hear from Chris North at the festival’s church tent where he’s planning Sunday’s service.Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Katy Davis and James Leesley Studio Managers: George Willis and Sam Mills Editor: Dan Tierney

The US has bombed three major nuclear sites in Iran, bringing the country directly into the Israel-Iran conflict. Iran's Foreign minister has described the US strikes as "outrageous" and says Iran is reserving "all options to defend its sovereignty". We get an update from our correspondent in Jerusalem and discuss if an argument can be made from religiously-based ethics, for Israel’s actions? Israel contends that its attack on Iran is legal under international law because it represented a form of pre-emptive self-defence. William Crawley speaks to Emad Kiyaei, director at the Middle East Treaty Organization (METO), and co-author of Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction: A new approach to non-proliferation; and Dr Ezra Tzfadya, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Middle East Studies at Indiana University-Bloomington, where he convenes the US Department of Education sponsored "Shia Islamic and Jewish Legal Reasoning in Dialogue" project. MPs have voted to accept the Assisted Dying Bill which will allow a terminally ill person to legally end their life through medical means. The Catholic Church in England and Wales says it doesn't see how its many care homes and hospices can continue to operate with no exemption from the law. Archbishop John Sherrington of Liverpool, the Lead Bishop for Life Issues for the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, and Rabbi Dr Jonathan Romain, who chairs Religious Alliance for Dignity in Dying look forward to what the passage of the bill will mean. Do you mark the summer solstice? This weekend thousands of people are enjoying sunrise events, which signify the end of spring and the moment when the sun reaches its zenith. But for pagans it's more than just a party – the solstices are a spiritual part of their belief in the wheel of the year. We hear from a wicca witch and a druid, about why the summer solstice is so important. *** We apologise for an error made in the introduction of the drought piece on this programme; please find an amendment to the wording of the introduction *** Insurance pay-outs have been paid to regions facing tough growing conditions, with the most recent being £6 million to the World Food Programme in Syria. Naomi Wellings hears how the Christian development charity, Tearfund is making a difference - following advance insurance pay-outs - to farmers otherwise faced with crippling drought.Presenter: William Crawley Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Julia Paul Studio Managers: Amy Brennan & Joe Stickler Editor: Tim Pemberton

The horrific plane crash in Gujarat sent shockwaves through the UK’s Hindu community — many of whom have close ties to that region of India. The day after the tragedy, Emily Buchanan visited the vast Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, North West London, to speak with Tarun Patel, a spokesperson for the temple, and Tilak Parek, a scholar of religion and anthropology.We also hear from the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet, on the latest developments in the Israel-Iran conflict.And it’s not every day that a kung fu master becomes a modern-day influencer. But with the publication of his book Shaolin Spirit: The Way to Self-Mastery in English, Shi Heng Yi — founder of the Shaolin Temple Europe — is reaching new audiences. His TED Talks have inspired millions to explore martial arts as well as daily practices for mind and body.Presenter: Emily Buchanan Producers: Katy Davis & Rosie Dawson Studio Managers: Simon Kelsey, George Willis & Joe Stickler Editor: Rajeev Gupta