Easter boom: U.S. dioceses say rise in new Catholics may point to regional ‘revivals’ March 19, 2026By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Easter, Feature, News, World News, Worship & Sacraments While the religiously unaffiliated are on the rise globally, something curious is also happening: Some dioceses have reported significant upticks in adults preparing to enter the Catholic Church this Easter.
Cardinal Pizzaballa: Using God’s name to justify war is ‘the gravest sin’ March 18, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said the use of God’s name to justify war is a grave sin, stressing that God is present with those who suffer and die in conflict, not with those who exploit religion for political ends.
Bishops hail Scottish lawmakers for rejecting assisted dying; UK faces pivotal abortion vote March 18, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News Scottish Catholic bishops welcomed Parliament’s decision to reject the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill March 17 — a move shelving a measure that would have allowed eligible adults “to lawfully request, and be provided with, assistance by health professionals to end their own life.”
Communion of faithful, not just clergy, shares role in safeguarding faith, pope says March 18, 2026By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News All baptized Christians share in the Church’s mission and, guided by the Holy Spirit, are fit for renewing and building up the Church, Pope Leo XIV said at his weekly general audience.
Nicaragua’s Sandinista regime halts ordinations in 4 dioceses March 18, 2026By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, Vocations, World News Ordinations of priests and deacons have been halted in four Nicaraguan dioceses, aggravating a shortage of priests as the Sandinista regime continues its suffocation of the Catholic Church.
Top Vatican diplomat tells UN justice for women, girls demands ‘holistic’ approach March 18, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, Social Justice, World News The Vatican’s top diplomat to the United Nations called for a “holistic approach” in securing access to justice for women and girls.
Two priests drown while saving an altar boy in a coastal city in Ecuador March 18, 2026By Marietha Góngora V. OSV News Filed Under: News, World News A tragic incident involving the rescue of an altar boy occurred March 13 during a Lenten retreat in the coastal town of General Villamil Playas, in Ecuador’s Guayas province.
Vatican appeals court declares partial mistrial in Cardinal Becciu trial March 18, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News The Vatican’s appeals court declared a partial mistrial in the high-profile financial misconduct case involving Cardinal Angelo Becciu and other defendants, citing procedural errors by prosecutors in the Vatican trial that led in 2023 to a jail sentence for the cardinal on several counts of financial embezzlement.
Archbishop Hicks celebrates his first St. Patrick’s Day Parade Mass at namesake cathedral March 18, 2026By OSV News The Good Newsroom Filed Under: News, Saints, World News With standing-room only at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks of New York noted it was his first time presiding over the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Mass, which kicks off the city’s celebration.
Pope Leo grants audience to Opus Dei critic as reform of statutes continues March 17, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV met March 16 with Gareth Gore, the British financial journalist and author of a book that levels allegations of exploitation and human trafficking against Opus Dei, accusations that the Catholic organization calls “absolute nonsense.”
Nebraska bishop calls for prayer amid worst wildfires in state history March 17, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Disaster Relief, News, World News A Nebraska bishop is calling for prayer as that state battles what are believed to be the worst wildfires in its recorded history, which have killed at least one person.
A life well-coached: Lou Holtz remembered for faith, family and football March 17, 2026By John Knebels OSV News Filed Under: News, Obituaries, Sports, World News One by one, inside the University of Notre Dame’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart March 16, a flock of priests gently patted the pall atop the casket as they descended from the altar following the funeral Mass for legendary football coach Lou Holtz.
