By Courtney Mares OSV News LAMPEDUSA, ITALY — Pope Leo XIV traveled to the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa July 4, laying a wreath at the graves of migrants who drowned trying to reach Europe and celebrating an open-air Mass in which he called on Catholics to be good Samaritans offering compassion to those who […]
Traditionalist group ‘in schism’ after unauthorized consecration
The Society of St. Pius X elevated four priests to bishops despite warnings from the Vatican By Paulina Guzik OSV News The Vatican has declared the Society of St. Pius X to be “in schism” after the traditionalist group consecrated four bishops without the papal mandate, marking the most serious rupture in the church since […]
2033 offers major chance for Christian unity, Pope Leo says
By Courtney Mares OSV News ROME — Pope Leo XIV has called on all Christians to work together toward the celebration of 2033, when the Catholic Church will mark an extraordinary Jubilee Year commemorating 2,000 years since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The pope expressed this hope during a June 30 audience with […]
Migration tops pontiff’s agenda in Canary Islands
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service ARGUINEGUIN, Spain — Standing at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, where thousands of migrants arrive each year after dangerous journeys from Africa, Pope Leo XIV recalled the biblical sea monsters Leviathan and Rahab. Yet the greatest threats lurking in these waters, he said, are not creatures of Scripture. […]
Iconic basilica’s newest tower receives blessing
By Courtney Mares OSV News BARCELONA, Spain — Pope Leo XIV blessed the newly completed Tower of Jesus Christ at Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica June 10, inaugurating the crowning spire that makes the iconic church the tallest Catholic church the world and urging people to lift their gaze to Christ “who alone reveals to us […]
Pope receives standing ovation for powerful speech
By Courtney Mares OSV News MADRID — In a sweeping address to the Spanish parliament, Pope Leo XIV delivered a forceful defense of the dignity of every human life, declaring that its protection is not a partisan issue but “a goal of civilization,” while addressing the issues of abortion, migration, freedom of conscience, the seal […]
Bishops across globe urge G7 leaders to prioritize human dignity
OSV News Presidents of Catholic bishops’ conferences of the G7 member states called on heads of state and government to root governance in human dignity, as national leaders prepared for the Group of Seven summit. “Amid armed conflict, geopolitical fragmentation, the crisis of multilateralism, growing inequalities, climate disruption and accelerating technological change, we affirm that […]
In first encyclical, Pope Leo urges world to ‘disarm’ AI
By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Presenting the first encyclical of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV warned that artificial intelligence must be “disarmed,” urging governments, tech leaders and society to confront the rapidly growing technology before it weakens human relationships, critical thinking and peace itself. With its authoritative teaching, the 82-page encyclical, […]
Pontiff declares in prayer vigil: ‘It is time for peace!’
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Warning against an increasingly unpredictable and aggressive “delusion of omnipotence” threatening the globe, Pope Leo XIV called on world leaders and individuals to empty their hearts and minds of hatred and violence, and to start serving life. “Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough […]
Pope Leo retraces St. Augustine’s steps in Algeria
By Courtney Mares OSV News ANNABA, Algeria — Pope Leo XIV offered Mass April 14 at the basilica built near the site where St. Augustine died nearly 1,600 years ago, making a deeply personal pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Augustine in Algeria. “Here the martyrs prayed; here St. Augustine loved his flock, fervently seeking […]