Experts dispute White House claims mass deportations improve Americans’ lives February 19, 2026By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News Numerous American bishops have collectively and individually stated their concerns regarding the nature of immigration enforcement taking place and mass deportation.
U.S. Church faces these areas of ‘critical concern’ on religious liberty, says bishops’ report February 19, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News The USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty issued Feb. 17 its “Annual Report on the State of Religious Liberty,” which highlights the legislative actions, executive actions, and U.S. Supreme Court cases the U.S. bishops are closely watching.
Holy See will not join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza, Cardinal Parolin says February 18, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Holy See “will not participate” in President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” for Gaza, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, said Feb. 17, citing “points that leave us somewhat perplexed.”
Pope Leo XIV calls for ‘countercultural’ repentance on first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate February 18, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News Beneath the Roman pines of the Aventine Hill, Pope Leo XIV led a solemn penitential procession Feb. 18 to Rome’s oldest extant basilica, marking the first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate with a call for “countercultural” repentance for sins from individuals, institutions and the Church itself.
Olympic ski jumping silver, bronze medals lay on altar as young athlete’s faith goes viral February 18, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Sports, World News At the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Polish ski jumper Kacper Tomasiak made history — and then went to Mass.
Pope Leo XIV on Ash Wednesday: Ask the Lord for the gift of true conversion this Lent February 18, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News On Ash Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV encouraged Catholics to ask the Lord for “the gift of true conversion” at the start of the 40-day penitential season of Lent.
A quick guide to fasting in Lent February 18, 2026By Michael R. Heinlein OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, Lent Lent begins Feb. 18 this year. During this holy and penitential season, fasting is required of adult Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59. The required days of fasting are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
USCCB calls for adoration hours, works of mercy to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary February 18, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Eucharist, Feature, News, World News As the U.S. prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has encouraged Catholics to participate in initiatives including a collective 250 Hours of Adoration and 250 Works of Mercy. To celebrate the occasion, “America 250,” the initiatives encourage prayer for the unity and healing of the U.S., according to a resource guide the USCCB has
Baltimore chapter of Young Catholic Professionals celebrates successful first year February 18, 2026By Katie V. Jones OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Young Adult Ministry A national organization based in Texas, Young Catholic Professionals offers adults in their 20s and 30s opportunities to network, socialize and share their faith at various events throughout the year. In Baltimore, Principe and his team host one event each month.
‘Remember you are dust’: Why people fill the pew on Ash Wednesday February 17, 2026By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, World News, Worship & Sacraments Why do so many people make an extra effort to get to church on Ash Wednesday — the first of Lent’s 40 days — when it is not a holy day of obligation, and they are not required to receive ashes?
Mount St. Joseph’s BJ Ranson selected as BCL Player of Year; league unveils new academic honors February 16, 2026By Gerry Jackson Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Sports Mount St. Joseph senior guard BJ Ranson, who led the Gaels to a 29-win regular season, earned the Baltimore Catholic League’s Jerry Savage Player of the Year Award for the 2025-26 season.
Radio Interview: Archbishop Lori’s pastoral letter: ‘In Charity and Truth’ February 16, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Archbishop's Ministry, CR Radio, Feature, Local News, News, Radio Interview In a new pastoral letter released Feb. 9, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore takes the occasion of the nation’s 250th anniversary to address “a moment of grace and responsibility.” Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with the archbishop about the motivation for the letter, which is subtitled, “Toward a Renewed Political Culture.”
