A Year of Faith and Devotion: Capturing the World's Spiritual Moments

In 2025, photographers from the Associated Press documented a wide range of spiritual practices and religious events across the globe. One striking image shows a vast crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for Pope Francis' funeral, while another captures a single woman in Uruguay honoring the African sea goddess Yemanja. These images highlight the diverse ways people express their faith. Some photos showcase the vibrant energy of religious festivals. In Spain, a man rides a horse through a bonfire to honor St. Anthony the Abbot. In Mexico, marchers with skull-painted faces celebrate the Day of the Dead. In New York, a woman and her dog, both dressed in matching outfits, join the Easter Parade. These scenes reveal the joy and color of religious traditions. Other images depict the harsh realities of faith in conflict zones. In Gaza, Palestinians share a meal during Ramadan amidst the ruins of their homes. In Lebanon, worshippers gather for Easter Mass in a church destroyed by an airstrike. In Syria, a religious icon is stained with blood from a recent bombing. These photos show the resilience of faith even in the face of violence. Capturing these moments required skill and perseverance. Photographer Thanassis Stavrakas spent over a year arranging a visit to a remote monastery in Greece, resulting in a serene image of monks and cats on a cliffside. Emilio Morenatti spent three days following pilgrims in Spain, capturing their journey to the shrine of El Rocio. These efforts highlight the dedication of photographers to document faith in action. One memorable photo of Pope Francis' funeral was taken from a rooftop terrace near a giant statue of Jesus. Photographer Alessandra Tarantino had only a few seconds to capture the scene, but her image conveys the immense crowd and the small, distant coffin. This photo encapsulates the deep connection between the pope and his followers.