More than 50 black Pentecostal church leaders from 27 denominations will make a pilgrimage to the Vatican "to recover some of the ancient Christian traditions embodied in the Roman Catholic Church," reports The Chicago Tribune. "We come with a fervor and a fire they may be missing, but they come with an order and structure we may be missing," says Bishop Larry Trotter, senior pastor of Chicago's Sweet Holy Spirit Full Gospel Baptist Church.

The Washington-based Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation is launching a campaign to convince Protestant and Catholic Americans that Christianity is disappearing from Israel as Palestinian Christians emigrate from the area.

A bill requiring public schools to observe a minute of silence during which "no other activities shall be performed" at the beginning of every school day is expected to sail through the Virginia House. To avoid the promotion of religion, the bill allows the time "for meditation, prayer or reflection." A Washington Post follow up article says most students will find it meaningless. (See also the Associated Press coverage.)

Coverage of presidential candidates' religion continues as Newsweek looks at the four frontrunners' faiths, public and private. Even Bill Bradley finally answers the question: "Do I believe in God? The answer is yes." Fortunately, religion writer Ken Woodward also looks at why the issue is so important this year.

In a story somewhat similar to a recent Christianity Today article, online magazine Slate offers ...