By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Thousands of pilgrims are expected to gather in June in the Lithuanian capital for the sixth World Apostolic Congress on Mercy, or WACOM, a five-day event that has previously been held in cities such as Rome, Krakow, Bogota and Manila. But in Vilnius, the theme “Building the City of Mercy” […]
Easter Sunday: ‘We cannot continue to be indifferent,’ pope says
By Courtney Mares OSV News VATICAN CITY — Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter, Pope Leo XIV delivered a passionate appeal for peace, declaring that the power of the risen Christ is “entirely nonviolent” and calling on world leaders to lay down their weapons and choose dialogue over domination. The address […]
Bishops express support for Venezuelan people
By Gina Christian OSV News The Catholic bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean have expressed their pastoral closeness to the people of Venezuela, following the Jan. 3 U.S. military intervention that saw the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and the announcement of a temporary takeover of the country before […]
Cardinals affirm fraternity, continuity at consistory
By Paulina Guzik OSV News VATICAN CITY — After an intense day of roundtable discussions, the “low-batteried” but “very pleased” cardinals wrapped the first historic extraordinary consistory convened by Pope Leo XIV in a spirit of fraternity, with a sense of knowing each other better and saying they “discovered” the pope, while he did “more […]
‘Aspire to great things,’ pope tells youth at jubilee’s end
By Carol GlatzCatholic News Service ROME — The fullness of life depends on how much one joyfully welcomes and shares in life while also living with a constant yearning for those things that only come from God, Pope Leo XIV told young people. “Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Do not settle […]
Monastery that survived atomic blast remains symbol of peace
By Katarzyna SzalajkoOSV News WARSAW, Poland — Eighty years ago, two of the world’s deadliest weapons were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, bringing near-total destruction. But a Catholic monastery built in Nagasaki by a future martyr and saint survived and to this day brings a Franciscan message of peace to a place that could […]
Museum restores and opens St. Damien’s birth home to public
Hawaii Catholic Herald St. Damien’s Belgian birth home is now open to the general public after months of restoration. Ruben Boon, curator of the Damien Museum in Tremelo, said in an email bulletin that the work took about nine months. The restoration included the installation of a permanent exhibit featuring “original furniture and interior elements, […]
Official portrait of Pope Leo XIV
This image is available free of charge and may only be reproduced for institutional purposes. No commercial use allowed. (Vatican Media / CNS)
Pope Leo XIV calls for ‘a united church’ at inaugural Mass
By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Launching his papacy with a call for reconciliation and communion, Pope Leo XIV formally began his ministry as the successor of St. Peter by calling for “a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world.” “In this our […]
The busy life of a new pontiff
Click here to read about some of the activities that filled Pope Leo XIV’s first days of his pontificate.






