Faith Through the Ages - Today in Religious History
Ulrich Zwingli, a Swiss reformer, led the city of Zurich to adopt the principles of the Protestant Reformation, rejecting Catholic doctrine and establishing a new church based on Zwingli's theological views.
Jeanne d'Arc, also known as Joan of Arc, was canonized as a saint by Pope Callistus III. She was a French military leader who helped lead the French to victory in the Hundred Years' War and was later executed for heresy.
St. Porphyry of Gaza was a 4th-century bishop who played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in the Gaza region and the destruction of pagan temples.
Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to Cuba, becoming the first pope to visit the country since the Cuban Revolution. The visit was seen as a significant event in the normalization of relations between the Vatican and the communist government.
Twenty-one Coptic Christians were executed by the Islamic State in Libya, sparking outrage and condemnation from the international community. The event was a tragic example of the persecution of Christians in the Middle East.