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.
At Colosseum, pope carries the cross, leading thousands in Good Friday prayer for suffering world April 4, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Inside the ancient arena of the Roman Empire that crucified Christ, Pope Leo XIV carried the cross through the darkness of night on Good Friday at Rome’s Colosseum, leading about 30,000 in prayer for the sufferings of the modern world.
Cardinal Roche: Pedro Ballester’s selflessness a witness for youth April 4, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, Saints, World News, Youth Ministry The enduring memory of Pedro Ballester, an English student whose life is being studied for a possible sainthood cause, is defined by joy and selflessness in the face of suffering, British Cardinal Arthur Roche said.
Jerusalem’s Holy Week embraced with silent prayer, intimate liturgies as war continues to escalate April 3, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Holy Week in the Holy Land is unfolding in unprecedented silence, as war-related restrictions have left sacred sites largely without the faithful.
Pope at Colosseum: Follow Christ’s path, including the Way of the Cross, to bring peace April 3, 2026By Carol Glatz OSV News Filed Under: Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Life must be lived as a journey seeking to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, Pope Leo XIV said after completing the Stations of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum.
Pope Leo XIV calls Israeli, Ukrainian leaders on Good Friday, urging peace April 3, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News Pope Leo XIV spoke over the telephone with the presidents of Israel and Ukraine on Good Friday, urging diplomatic solutions and humanitarian support amid the ongoing wars in the Middle East and Europe.
Deacon John ‘Happy Jack’ Martin dedicated life to delivering faith, smiles April 3, 2026By Jay Sorgi Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries Deacon John Martin, who served many years at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Baynesville, died March 25. He was known for his compassion and warmth.
After eucharistic encounter, dying baby is thriving one year later April 3, 2026By Katie Yoder OSV News Filed Under: Eucharist, News, World News Andrea, 24, and her husband, Wyatt, 25, spoke with OSV News about little Catherine’s incredible recovery in 2025 after a priest placed a eucharistic host on her. The priest involved also spoke with OSV News. The Artz family — a Catholic family of six located in Gann Valley in central South Dakota — said their third daughter spent 107 days in the hospital before they could bring her home.