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.
Bishops praise Virginia Legislature for halting assisted suicide bill February 18, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News SB359, which would have permitted doctors to prescribe lethal, self-administered drugs to terminally ill patients deemed to have less than six months to live, failed to advance in a full state senate committee hearing Feb. 5.
Diocese of Camden reaches ‘long overdue’ $180 million abuse settlement February 18, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, World News The Diocese of Camden, N.J., has announced plans to resolve more than 300 abuse claims with a $180 million settlement.
Death is close; Jesus and his love are closer, say clergy in Ukraine war zone February 18, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, War in Ukraine, World News Amid the ravages of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the human heart finds its home in God and in communion with others, said two Catholic clergy from Ukraine’s embattled east at an annual three-day cultural event in New York City.
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.
Georgia martyrs expected to be beatified in Savannah this Halloween February 18, 2026By Maria Wiering OSV News Filed Under: News, Saints, World News A date for the beatification of five Franciscans known as the Georgia martyrs has been set for Oct. 31, according to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints’ website. It lists Cardinal Frank Leo of Toronto as the beatification Mass’ celebrant.
‘Unborn children are dying’: Pro-life leaders challenge ICE detention of pregnant women February 18, 2026By Katie Yoder OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, Respect Life, World News Dozens of national pro-life leaders are calling for the reinstatement of federal guidance that would generally prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement from detaining pregnant women and new mothers in a letter sent to the Trump administration.
Bishops, pro-life leaders slam Notre Dame pro-abortion appointment as ‘slap in face,’ ‘betrayal’ February 18, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Colleges, News, Respect Life, World News The naming of a pro-abortion faculty member as head of a Catholic university research institute is “a direct slap in the face to the Church’s moral tradition,” an Illinois bishop said, while several recipients of the school’s top pro-life award have called it a “betrayal.”
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.
The No. 1 person former President Obama most wants to meet? It’s Pope Leo XIV February 17, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: News, Racial Justice, Vatican, World News Former President Barack Obama said in a YouTube interview posted Feb. 14 he wants to meet Pope Leo XIV.
