September 9, 2016 AP PHOTOS: Faithful await hajj on historic Saudi mountaintop Muslims awaiting the start of the annual hajj pilgrimage have climbed a historic mountaintop looking over the holy city of Mecca, taking in its modern sights from a place revered in Islamic history.
September 9, 2016 Retired pope offers final reflections on papacy, Francis Retired Pope Benedict XVI has acknowledged that governing the church wasn't his strong suit but says he doesn't see his papacy as a failure and that he succeeded at least in breaking up the Vatican's so-called "gay lobby." In a new, book-length interview, excerpts of which were published Thursday in Corriere della Sera, Benedict also said he was shocked, and initially uncertain, about the election of Pope Francis.
September 8, 2016 The Latest: Serbia sees increase of migrants at borders The Latest on Europe's migrant crisis (all times local): 3:20 p.m.
September 8, 2016 AP PHOTOS: Muslim pilgrims arrive at holy site ahead of hajj Muslim pilgrims have begun arriving at the holiest sites in Islam ahead of the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, with some weeping with their hands outstretched for a fleeting touch of the Kaaba.
September 7, 2016 Famed Turkish pianist acquitted of religion insult charges After a nearly five-year court battle, a world-renowned Turkish pianist has been acquitted of charges that he "denigrated religious beliefs" in messages on his Twitter account.
September 7, 2016 Myanmar's Rohingya minority welcomes Kofi Annan mission Members of Myanmar's Muslim Rohingya minority have expressed hope that an independent panel led by former U.N.
September 7, 2016 Iran's president: Saudi should be 'punished' for hajj deaths Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says Islamic countries should take "punitive" measures against Saudi Arabia following the deaths of over two thousand pilgrims in a crush of crowds during last year's hajj.
September 7, 2016 Poland asks UK church leaders to counter hostility to Poles Poland's President Andrzej Duda says he has written to church leaders in Britain asking them to help prevent attacks on Poles living there.
September 6, 2016 French judge upholds burkini ban despite top court ruling A court in the French Mediterranean island of Corsica has upheld a burkini ban issued by a local mayor despite a higher court ruling saying such bans on the Muslim full-body swimwear may violate basic freedoms.
