World News

I cannot imagine a facial expression more confused than that of my former neighbor, who looked at me with a sense of utter disbelief and incredulity. We were standing merely feet apart as I loaded my family’s personal belongings into a storage container parked in my driveway. “You are moving…where?” he asked, as if almost ... read more

Bishop Joseph Brennan of Fresno, California, celebrated Mass on February 16 in the state’s largest US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. Seventy detainees attended the Mass. “These are my people,” Bishop Brennan said. “I need to be there, they need that presence and I want to accompany them.” “They’re hurting, they’re ... read more

Pope Leo XIV has named Professor Tyler VanderWeele, professor of epidemiology at Harvard University, as a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Dr. VanderWeele is also director of the Human Flourishing Program and do-director of the Initiative on Health, Spirituality, and Religion at Harvard University. His “empirical research spans psychiatric ... read more

Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Cardinal Arlindo Gomes Furtado, 76, from the office of bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde. Ordained a bishop in 2004 and appointed to the see in 2009, he was named a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2015. Pope Leo named Bishop Teodoro Mendes Tavares, C.S.Sp., of ... read more

In an article published by Vatican News, a former prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops offered a theological reflection on lay authority in the Roman Curia. ... read more

The archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica unveiled several initiatives to mark the 400th anniversary of the dedication of St. Peter’s Basilica. Speaking at a February 16 press conference (video), Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, O.F.M. Conv., discussed an AI translation system, the opening of previously inaccessible areas of the basilica, and a music and lecture series. ... read more

Ronald Hicks said, " 'I need you to do this,' " said Samuel Jiménez. "And that's why I'm here." ... read more

The Leo Chronicles: Gabby honors the women of Africa. ... read more

Phyllis Zagano asks: Have you heard any U.S. bishops defending women against Kid Rock or Trump or Bad Bunny? Are they cowed into submission by the false notion that women do not image Christ? ... read more

A new pope's first Lent offers a glimpse into his pastoral instincts and how he situates himself in relation to his predecessors. ... read more

"Francis reminded us that in order for the church to be a field hospital to a world suffering from Epstein's sickness, the church has to be bold, has to be the shepherd leaving the 99 to go search for the lost one," writes Renee Roden. ... read more

In an address to members of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Pope Leo XIV spoke about the importance of a global, preventive approach to health care. The academy’s 2026 plenary assembly is devoted to “Healthcare for all: Sustainability and Equity.” In his address, the Pope emphasized “the connection between the health of all ... read more

In a February 16 audience, Pope Leo XIV encouraged Italy’s prefects to promote public order and act with integrity. “By overseeing social harmony, the Prefect contributes to safeguarding the indispensable prerequisite of the freedom and rights of citizens,” Pope Leo said during the audience, which took place in Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. ... read more

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Sunday evening Mass at a Roman parish (video) and emphasized that God’s commandments are not a source of oppression, but rather a condition of liberation and flourishing. ... read more

Pope Leo XIV conducted his first visit to a parish in the Diocese of Rome on the afternoon of February 15 and addressed young people, the elderly and persons with disabilities, and members of the parish’s pastoral council (video). ... read more