Sunday

As Sir David Attenborough turns 100, we ask what his lifelong work revealing the natural world has meant not just scientifically, but spiritually. Emily Buchanan speaks to the Bishop of Norwich, Rt Revd Graham Usher, an ecologist and Church of England lead bishop on the environment.
Also on the programme, we explore religious and spiritual connections in 125 years of Black music-making in Britain. The first paid exhibition at the new V&A East museum is on until the 3rd of January 2027. The Sunday programme hears from lead curator, Jacqueline Springer.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said "every part of society" has a responsibility to tackle antisemitism in the UK, and announced an extra £1.5 million of funding to strengthen community cohesion, as a new YouGov survey claims 63% of Britons see antisemitism as a major problem. The survey also claims that 57% of the public say there is a problem with Islamophobia in British society. Emily Buchanan hears from two members of the Jewish and Muslim community working on interfaith dialogue and initiatives. Laura Janner-Klausner, Rabbi of Bromley Reform Synagogue, and Julie Siddiqi- Co-chair of the British Muslim Network.
Presenter: Emily Buchanan
Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Rebecca Kelly
Studio Managers: Kelly Young & Ethan Connolly-Forster
Editor: Chloe Walker

A special edition of Sunday marking a year since the election of Pope Leo XIV

Dame Sarah Mullally has chosen Rome as the destination for her first overseas visit as Archbishop of Canterbury. The 4-day visit to the Vatican includes prayers at the tomb of St Peter in St Peter's Basilica, and a private audience with Pope Leo. It is a trip that is being seen as significant for relations between the two churches. William Crawley speaks to Dr. Robert Innes, the Church of England's Bishop in Europe and the Catholic journalist and author Catherine Pepinster.
This week, Donald Trump took part in a marathon Bible reading event organised by Christian conservatives in Washington. It was part of a week-long effort to read aloud the entire Bible, to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. And though many in the US assert the country's history of separating church and state, leading figures from the Trump White House have been emphasising America's historic Christian roots. But was America founded as a "Christian Nation"? Richard Carwardine, Emeritus Rhodes Professor of American History at Oxford, explores that question.
The Reverend Anthea Mitchell was cutting hair for 30 years before her calling to the priesthood. But she didn’t give up her work in the salon. She is one of around 2,000 self-supporting ministers in the Church of England who combine church life with everyday jobs. The church has launched a new series of films exploring the parallel worlds, where ministry meets the workplace.
Presenter: William Crawley
Producers: Dan Tierney and Rebecca Kelly
Studio Managers: Isabelle Whitehead and George Willis
Editor: Tim Pemberton

After a week of headlines that portrayed Pope Leo and President Trump pitted against each other, the pontiff says he regrets his remarks being interpreted as a debate. We hear from a journalist on the papal visit to Africa and Anna Rowlands, Professor at Durham University and a member of the Vatican department concerned with social teaching.
Buddhism with its tradition of meditation and compassion, is not a religion you might associate with violence. However, from Rohingya expulsions by Buddhist mobs in Myanmar, to Sri Lankan riots fuelled by Buddhist militants, religious nationalism can turn monks into political players. Sonia Faleiro has investigated this phenomenon for a book called The Robe and the Sword - how Buddhist Extremism is shaping modern Asia.
The peace deal between the US, Israel and Iran is holding for now but it is not clear when there will be a new round of face to face talks. With up to five million Christians living in the Gulf, we wanted to find out how they were coping with the war. We hear from Bishop Sean Semple, the Anglican Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf and Davide Axtell who chairs the council of Bahrain Cathedral.
Presenter: Emily Buchanan
Producers: Katy Booth and Rosie Dawson
Studio Managers: Helen Williams, Chris Mather and Ben Cuthbertson
Editor: Catherine Murray

As talks between the United States and Iran get underway, Edward Stourton discusses the vivid use of religious language in the rhetoric surrounding the war in the Middle East with Dr Toby Matthiesen, Kamin Mohammadi and Dr Brian Klug.
Uzbekistan has decided to include Sharia banking in the country's financial system. It's said it will unlock a trillion dollars in foreign investment. Atty Arsalan Tariq, a lawyer who specialises in Islamic and conventional finance explains how this will work.
For many Lebanese the trauma of the current conflict with Israel stands out against the backdrop of Lebanon's long recent history of violence. For Toufic Diab, from Lebanon who lives in the UK, the icon of a Lebanese saint helps his faith and brings solace during this worrying time for his family back home.
For 75 years the Archers has graced the airwaves with the story of everyday country folk in the fictional village of Ambridge. Like the village pub, the church has been at the centre of village life. John Telfer, who plays the Rev Alan Franks and Nick Warbuton, a writer on the show, look back at the role religion has played in this long running drama.
Presenter: Edward Stourton
Producers: Amanda Hancox and Jay Behrouzi
Studio Managers: Tom Clarke and Nat Stokes
Editor: Tim Pemberton