Radio Interview: A conversation with local converts April 7, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: CR Radio, Easter, Feature, Local News, News, Radio Interview This Easter marks a remarkable moment in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, where more than 1,280 catechumens and candidates entered into full communion with the Catholic Church — a number drawn from those attending formal rites and not including several hundred others welcomed at individual parishes. In this episode of Catholic Review Radio, host Rita Buettner highlights two of these journeys.
Trump threatens Iran’s ‘whole civilization will die’ amid Pope Leo’s call for peace vigil April 7, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News President Donald Trump threatened a “whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not make a deal by 8 p.m. EDT on April 7. His comments come as Pope Leo XVI has urgently called for peace and set up a prayer vigil for April 11, the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday.
Sermon on the Integrity: Artemis II mission pilot preaches Christ’s command to love on lunar flyby April 7, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News As the astronauts of NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby in half a century reached their closest approach to the moon, the team’s pilot reminded the Earth of Jesus Christ’s command to love both God and neighbor.
Pope sends Easter greetings to Catholic parish in Gaza amid fear, uncertainty of war April 7, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV sent Easter greetings to Catholics in Gaza as they celebrate Easter amid the fear and uncertainty of war, said Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of Holy Family Parish.
Parishes get training to be welcoming, but alert to safety April 7, 2026By Christopher Gunty Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News Safety and security start with being welcoming. One of the handouts at the Westminster seminar, “The Power of Hello,” addressed how greeting people who come to the church helps provide a welcoming environment, as well as giving ushers a chance to assess any areas of concern. It’s not meant to create a sense of paranoia, but caution.
Father Joseph P. Lacey, S.J., longtime pastor of St. Alphonsus Rodriguez, dies at 85 April 6, 2026By Lisa Harlow Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries Jesuit Father Joseph P. Lacey, who spent more than two decades as pastor of St. Alphonsus Rodriguez in Woodstock and 22 years as a missionary in India, died March 28 at the St. Claude La Colombière Jesuit Community in Baltimore. He was 85.
Sister Mary Gess Kirby, R.S.M., former Mercy High School counselor, dies at 92 April 5, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Local News, News, Obituaries A funeral Mass for Religious Sister of Mercy Mary Gess Kirby will be offered April 11 at 11 a.m. at Mercy Medical Center’s McAuley Chapel in Baltimore. Sister Gess died March 27. She was 92 and had been a Sister of Mercy for 68 years.
Trump threatens strikes on Iranian infrastructure same day Pope Leo appeals for peace April 5, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News President Donald Trump on Easter threatened major strikes on Iran’s energy and transportation infrastructure if its leaders do not cooperate with his demand to open the Strait of Hormuz.
‘The power with which Christ rose is entirely nonviolent,’ pope says in Easter peace message April 5, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News 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.
At Easter Mass, Pope Leo proclaims Resurrection conquers ‘the power of death’ April 5, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV offered Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square Sunday proclaiming that with Christ’s resurrection “death has been conquered forever” and “no longer has power over us.”
Archbishop Broglio: War in Iran likely not justified under Catholic teaching on legitimate defense April 4, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services questioned the legitimacy of America’s war in Iran, arguing that the war is likely not justified under Catholic teaching on legitimate defense by military means, sometimes called just war theory.
Pope: Don’t be paralyzed by mistrust, fear; be catalyzed by Christ to build peace April 4, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, World News God’s love is stronger than any evil, capable of “driving out hatred” and “bringing down the mighty,” Pope Leo XIV said.
