Vatican News
Gaza in need of ‘miracles,’ papal agency says
Catholics and Christians can “first of all, pray,” Michael La Civita of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association said. Prayer "works miracles, and we need miracles.”
New York Catholic university files federal lawsuit over forced collective bargaining rule
St. John's University said the state's mandatory bargaining requirement "impermissibly entangles" the government in its religious mission.
Pope Leo XIV accompanied him through his cancer battle. Now they will meet again in Madrid
After surviving cancer, a Spanish teen prepares to reunite with the pope who accompanied him through his illness.
Miami Catholic schools receive $15 million in state security funding after ‘months of advocacy’
The Florida bishops had petitioned the state Legislature for the funding, though a broader statewide measure failed to pass.
Pope calls on Catholic universities to be authentic, instill ‘passion for the truth’
Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday addressed presidents and senior administrators from Catholic institutions belonging to the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.
Bangladesh church bombing: 25 years on, Catholic victims still await justice
A bomb tore through Sunday Mass at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Gopalganj on June 3, 2001; a quarter-century later, police have yet to file a single charge sheet in the case.
Former Louisiana priest receives 99 years in prison after sex abuse conviction
Father Anthony Odiong was arrested in Florida on child pornography charges in July 2024 while facing several other charges related to sex crimes.
India tribunal urges end to 'impunity' as anti-Christian violence climbs
Christian, Hindu, and Muslim groups joined a People's Tribunal in New Delhi that documented a sharp rise in attacks on Christians and demanded the government curb 'impunity.'
Pope Leo XIV: We must rediscover signs and symbols of the sacred liturgy
The pontiff continued his catechesis on the Second Vatican Council's teaching on the liturgy during his weekly general audience.
Archbishop Coakley: Encyclical urges keeping human dignity central in judging tech
Coakley spoke at a virtual panel held by Georgetown University's Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life that explored what the encyclical is asking.
Pope’s AI warnings come as Americans grapple with data center expansions
Catholic scholars echo Leo's focus on the dignity of work, the environment, and avoiding power concentration as one data center spokesperson says her work is consistent with Leo's vision.
Anti-surrogacy advocates urge UN scrutiny of Greece and Ireland
A French children's rights group has filed formal observations with the U.N. Human Rights Council ahead of November reviews of Greece and Ireland.
Elected officials recognize grassroots June celebration of ‘Fidelity Month’
Fidelity Month, a celebration of God, family, and America, has been recognized by elected officials across the country this June.
Archbishop Wester at arms control conference: ‘There is no such thing as a just nuclear war’
Archbishop John Wester reiterated papal concerns about nuclear weapons and the use of artificial intelligence in weaponry during a keynote address.
French bishops warn proposed bill threatens seal of confession
A bill introduced into France's national legislature specifically targets the seal of confession and would expand government control over state-subsidized private schools.
Victim of dictatorship, Nicaraguan Indigenous leader and political prisoner dies
The Ortega dictatorship portrayed the death of Brooklyn Rivera as simply from natural causes without mentioning his detention or prison conditions that critics claim actually led to his death.
More than 50 children celebrate first Communion amid ongoing missile attacks in southern Lebanon
A resident of Rmeish whose daughter received her first Communion said villagers there have effectively been living in a state of war since Oct. 8, 2023.
This is Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of June
“In times of war and extreme polarization, sport is one of the few things that bring us closer together,” the pope said in a video released on X on June 2.
Parishes in Buffalo Diocese will undergo ‘rapid’ bankruptcy as part of Chapter 11 process
In an effort to bring its bankruptcy proceedings to a successful conclusion, the Diocese of Buffalo announced all its parishes will file "rapid prepackaged bankruptcy" cases.
Pakistan police shooting of Christian driver renews ‘encounter’ concerns
Catholic justice officials and rights advocates say the shooting of a Christian driver in Rawalpindi reflects a broader pattern of deadly police "encounters" in Pakistan's Punjab province.
Magnifica Humanitas seen deepening Church-tech ties, former Silicon Valley exec says
Relationships between tech companies and the Church will prompt “real dialogue as to how AI is going to affect humanity,” Father Brendan McGuire said.
U.S. Catholic charismatic leaders announce ecumenically-oriented evangelization initiative
The launch of "Evangelize USA" was announced following Pope Leo XIV's May 30 audience with members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service.
Pope Leo XIV appoints EWTN News president to lead Vatican communications department
Montserrat Alvarado becomes the first laywoman appointed prefect of a dicastery of the Holy See.
Franciscan Jubilee Year invites pilgrims to walk in St. Francis of Assisi’s footsteps
Pilgrims flock to Italy as the Catholic Church marks 800 years since the death of St. Francis.
How Christian women are shaping South Asian soccer
From Bangladesh's new Catholic captain to pioneers in Pakistan and India, Christian women are rising in South Asian soccer.
Pope Leo XIV congratulates Neocatechumenal Way on 60th anniversary
The Neocatechumenal Way is present in 138 countries, has more than 115 seminaries, and comprises some 25,000 communities, totaling over 1 million members.
Record number of priests ordained in Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina
“We stand in awe of God’s work in our midst,” Bishop Michael Martin said.
Pope Leo XIV highlights ‘key aspects’ of Catholic Charismatic Renewal
Pope Leo XIV encouraged members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal to pursue their mission by placing themselves at the service of dioceses and parishes.
Chaldean patriarch calls for prayer, peace, and support for Christians in the Middle East
The Chaldean Synod elected Archbishop Amel Shamon Nona in April after the resignation of Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako.
U.S. bishops unveil prayer service for America’s 250th anniversary centered on migrants
The prayer service invites Catholics to reflect on the nation’s history through the lens of migration, displacement, slavery, and faith while encouraging advocacy for vulnerable migrant populations.
Fulton Sheen’s missionary legacy hailed by Pope Leo XIV
The pontiff praised Venerable Sheen, who will be beatified Sept. 24, as “a light of faith, hope, and love” whose radio and television broadcasts brought the Gospel to millions.
‘Invisible, silent, misunderstood work’: The pope’s school for diplomats at 325 years
The Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome was founded in 1701 as a training ground for the pope's ambassadors.
Catholic scientists to gather near Chicago to discuss human sexuality, future of the universe
The 2026 Conference of the Society of Catholic Scientists will take place June 5–7 at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago.
Vatican cardinal returns to native city for beatification of priests killed by communists
Cardinal Michael Czerny, whose family fled communism, will preside as two executed priests become the first martyrs of communism beatified in the Czech Republic.
Trump suggests pope unaware of Iran nuclear stance despite Leo’s repeated calls for disarmament
The president has claimed, without evidence, that Pope Leo XIV wants the Middle Eastern country to develop nuclear armaments.
Pope Leo XIV: The Trinity teaches that every creature is made for communion
At the Sunday Angelus, the pope prayed for “a just and lasting peace” as the Church closed a monthlong Marian appeal for countries ravaged by war.
Bishop highlights Church’s ministry to seafarers facing danger and isolation
While the main role of port chaplains with Stella Maris is to celebrate Mass and the sacraments aboard ships, their work includes providing counsel and aid to sailors, Bishop Frank Schuster said.
12 things to know and share about the Holy Trinity
The Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Christian faith. Here are 12 things to know and share.
Human dignity, national security ‘not in conflict,’ U.S. bishops say amid Trump ‘aliens’ campaign
The Trump administration launched an "alien arrest map" with images and rhetoric that likens immigrants living illegally in the country to extraterrestrials.
Pope Leo XIV: Our world is more divided, but shared humanity unites us
The pontiff addressed members of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation on May 30.
Catholic Charities Boston sees surging need at city-wide food pantries
Following federal cuts, Catholic Charities is experiencing an “elevated need in our communities, and we're seeing fewer dollars to meet that need with,” said Jonathan Tetrault.
Florida judge rules against Planned Parenthood in false advertisement case
Here is a roundup of recent pro-life and abortion-related news.
Priest evangelizing in the peripheries of Lima says he sees ‘miracles all the time’
Father Julio Ampuero's ministry in a poor area of Lima, Peru, is experiencing good fruit through retreats, confessions and an outreach at a men's shelter.
Remembering Alex: Benedictine College grieves a ‘faith-filled’ student
When a Benedictine College senior was dying from cancer, the college's president, along with 30 students, traveled to his home to give him a graduation ceremony.
Outgoing religious freedom commissioner highlights ‘worsening’ global religious freedom crisis
Former USCIRF commissioner Stephen Schneck said religious repression is growing in India, China, and beyond.
Washington Nationals official fired after video that implied discrimination against Catholic pitcher
Team spokesman Sean Hudson had been caught on video apparently admitting to the team's blacklisting of Catholic pitcher Trevor Williams.
Pope to transform ‘pier of shame’ in Gran Canaria Island into hope for immigrants
The pope's visit to Gran Canaria Island, the site of thousands of migrants arriving from Africa by sea, will serve to highlight the plight of migrants and the Christian duty to help them.
Nicaraguan advocate laments ‘silence’ about Catholic persecution
“Everything has to be vetted by the government, especially what priests are going to preach on Sunday," said Rosalia Gutierrez-Huete Miller in a panel discussion on human rights in Nicaragua.
Report: How abortion drug sellers are violating federal rules designed to protect women
New report by the Charlotte Lozier Institute finds that most abortion drug sellers do not comply with safety limits that protect women from dangerous side effects.
Spain's president congratulates Pope Leo XIV on Magnifica Humanitas
Pope Leo receives praise from Spain’s chief executive, Catholic and Coptic dialogue resumes, a Catholic agency in South Sudan issues an Ebola alert, and more in this week’s roundup of world news.