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.
Customer service story of ‘relatable’ Pope Leo XIV gone viral resonates with everyday people May 8, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The incoming provincial superior of the Midwest Augustinians, the order that Pope Leo XIV belongs to and the province he once led, said viral interest in the story of the pope’s customer service call last year has been unexpected.
One year in, Pope Leo navigates division through dialogue in his push for peace May 8, 2026By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News One year after stepping onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and greeting the world with the words, “May peace be with you all,” Pope Leo XIV has emerged as a pontiff attempting to guide a polarized church and fractured world through dialogue, peace and increasingly forceful speech defending human dignity.