BEIRUT (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Lebanon on Friday for a high-risk trip aimed at emboldening the Middle East’s beleaguered Christian minority, just as anti-Western protests spread through much of the Muslim world. By Alessandro Speciale.

(RNS) The Vatican issued a firm condemnation of the attack against the U.S. embassy in Libya, one day after a statement that focused on decrying "provocations" against Muslim sensibilities. By Alessandro Speciale.

(RNS) The man who circulated the trailer of an obscure anti-Islam film, promoted it on his website and posted it on social media was a little known Egyptian-American Coptic Christian activist who lives near Washington and proudly touts his ties to Quran-burner Terry Jones. By Daniel Burke. 

(RNS) After a mob of Islamic fundamentalists attacked American embassies in Egypt and Libya, leaving at least four Americans dead, Muslim Americans said the violence abroad would increase hostilities against them in the U.S. By Omar Sacirbey.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican confirmed on Wednesday (Sept. 12) that Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Lebanon will go ahead as planned, despite growing tension in the region after the killing of the U.S. ambassador to Libya by a mob enraged by an anti-Islam film. By Alessandro Speciale.

(RNS) Religious rights activists are hailing the release over the weekend of an Iranian pastor accused of apostasy and a Pakistani girl charged with blasphemy. By Adelle M. Banks.

(RNS) When U.S. diplomats are looking to improve the image of the U.S. in the Muslim world, are they spending too much time overseas? Some experts say the opinions of Muslim immigrants and students here at home are far more influential. By Omar Sacirbey.

(RNS) Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has formed a three-member committee to look into reports that nearly 250 Hindus fled to India to escape harassment and discrimination. By Anto Akkara.

(RNS) Muslim and Coptic Christian leaders in the U.S. are calling on the Egyptian government to keep any mentions of Shariah law out of its draft constitution, as well as any language that discriminates against religious minorities. By Omar Sacirbey.

(RNS) The atheist community has embraced the cause of an Indonesian man, Alexander Aan, who was beaten and jailed after denying God’s existence on Facebook and posting cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. By Kimberly Winston.

(RNS) Ongoing violence in Nigeria has exacerbated tensions between the country's Muslims and Christians. Here are five things to know about the context behind the killings. By Lauren Markoe.