President Donald Trump's Religious Liberty Commission is preparing to make recommendations after more than a year of hearings. Commissioners have spoken about their wish lists for what they want to see in the report. They reflect the perspectives of the commission's largely conservative evangelical and Catholic membership. One idea is to increase avenues for religious expression in public schools and other public settings. Another is making public money more available to religious organizations. And there's a push for allowing for religious-based exemptions from regulations and classroom lessons. The commission's chair has repeatedly said "there is no separation of church and state.”

A U.S. appeals court says Texas can require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. The ruling Tuesday by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals was a victory for conservatives who have long sought to incorporate more religion into schools. The ruling sets up a potential clash at the U.S. Supreme Court over the issue in the future. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said in the decision that Texas’ law did not violate the First Amendment, which protects religious freedom and prevents the government from establishing a religion. Critics have said the law violates the separation of church and state.

President Donald Trump says the United States is indefinitely extending its ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan’s request as he waits for a unified proposal from the Islamic Republic. The announcement came as last-minute ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran looked uncertain and a two-week truce was set to expire. Earlier, the White House put on hold Vice President JD Vance’s expected trip to Islamabad for a second round of talks as Tehran — at least for the time-being — has balked at further talks. Pakistan’s information minister says Iran has not formally confirmed whether it will participate. The ceasefire had been set to expire on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump and many of his conservative Christian supporters are participating in a marathon Bible reading event. The America Reads the Bible event is being livestreamed from the Museum of the Bible in Washington and other locations. In his segment, Trump read an Old Testament passage that calls for national repentance. Participants include Republican politicians and evangelical supporters. The event is organized by Christians Engaged and is part of a larger project connecting America's 250th birthday with a Christian vision. The reading includes the entire Bible, from famous verses to obscure passages. Critics argue the event is partisan, with a focus on Christian nationalism.

MIDDELBURG, Netherlands (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was awarded the prestigious International Four Freedoms Award at a cere…

The crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers when white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the conclave.