Israeli soldiers punished after desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon May 12, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News An Israeli soldier has been sentenced to 21 days of military detention for placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, while another soldier who photographed the act received a 14-day sentence, the Israeli army said May 11.
First-ever pilgrimage celebrates Pope Leo with Mass, visits to papal boyhood landmarks May 12, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News On the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election, a group promoting the Catholic faith in Chicago’s south suburbs led an inaugural pilgrimage to his boyhood home and the church he attended as a boy.
Can intelligent extraterrestrial life exist? Here’s what Catholic thinkers have to say May 12, 2026By Maria Wiering OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News If rational, extraterrestrial beings exist, what would be God’s relationship to them?
Vatican continues dialogue with German bishops regarding blessing for same-sex couples, cardinal says May 11, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Dialogue between the Vatican and German bishops regarding the blessing of same-sex unions is ongoing, and it was too soon to talk about sanctions, said the Vatican secretary of state.
Trump says he plans to raise Jimmy Lai imprisonment during China visit May 11, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News President Donald Trump said May 11 he plans to discuss the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai during his upcoming visit to China; however, he suggested the prominent Catholic and pro-democracy campaigner “caused a lot of bedlam.”
Bishop Bransfield, whose scandal rocked West Virginia diocese, dead at 82 May 11, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Obituaries, World News Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, who retired in 2018 as head of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston amid multiple allegations of grave sexual and financial misconduct, died May 7 at age 82.
Pope Leo thanks Canary Islands as hantavirus-stricken ship arrives in Tenerife May 11, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV thanked the people of Spain’s Canary Islands after passengers exposed to hantavirus aboard a cruise ship were allowed to disembark on the island of Tenerife.
As justices consider birthright citizenship, displaced mom says her US-born child ‘should belong’ May 11, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, Supreme Court, World News As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to consider a challenge to President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship, the mother of a U.S.-born infant, who is displaced from her own country of origin, told OSV News her son “should belong to this country.”
Bishop Varden on hope, AI, patience — and not weaponizing Christianity May 11, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: AI, Feature, News, Vatican, World News During his May 7 visit to St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, Norway, a member of the Trappist monastic order, sat down with OSV News to share his insights on Christian hope, the dangers of AI and weaponizing the Christian faith, and the need for patience in the spiritual life.
Israeli soldier photographed desecrating Mary statue in Lebanon May 8, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Outrage has grown as a photo surfaced of an Israeli soldier desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary in Lebanon. Concerns are mounting about increasing anti-Christian behavior as Israel continues war in the Middle East.
Leo XIV: A pope of order for chaotic times May 8, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Today, we know a lot more about Cardinal Robert Prevost turned Pope Leo XIV. A year after his first words to the world were “Peace be with you all,” he has emerged as a pope of order for times of global chaos.
‘My soul magnifies the Lord!’: Pope Leo marks anniversary of election at Marian shrine in Pompeii May 8, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV marked the anniversary of his May 8 election by making a pilgrimage to celebrate Mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Pompeii, one of Italy’s most beloved Marian shrines, placing his pontificate under the protection of the Virgin Mary.
