Pope Leo XIV’s installation Mass: A new beginning rooted in tradition Pope Leo XIV on social media: Instagram and X accounts up and growing Western Maryland parishes hit by devastating floodwaters In 7 days, Pope Leo XIV has made a mark: Here’s how popes’ first weeks shaped their pontificate Schools Superintendent Hargens honored for emphasizing academics, faith Local News Western Maryland parishes hit by devastating floodwaters Katie V. Jones May 16, 2025 Two days after torrential rain caused flooding in the Georges Creek Valley in Western Maryland, Father Scott Kady, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish felt blessed. Sister of St. Francis Valerie Jarzembowski dies at 89 Catholic Review Staff May 16, 2025 A funeral Mass for Sister of St. Francis of Assisi Valerie Jarzembowski (formerly Sister Raymond) was offered May 8 at her religious community’s motherhouse in Wisconsin. Sister Valerie died April 29. She was 89. Schools Superintendent Hargens honored for emphasizing academics, faith Christopher Gunty May 16, 2025 With Dr. Donna Hargen’s strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, it seemed appropriate for a farewell Mass and dinner for the retiring schools superintendent to be held May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. New interim Hispanic, Urban delegates ready to serve Archdiocese of Baltimore Katie V. Jones May 15, 2025 With the appointment of Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. to the Diocese of Providence, R.I., Archbishop William E. Lori announced May 8 two interim appointments to continue the work Bishop Lewandowski had done while in Baltimore. More Local News World News As Trump returns from Middle East with massive arm deals, patriarch says ‘no’ to weapons Dale Gavlak May 16, 2025 As U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Gulf Arab countries, ending May 16, brought “the largest defense cooperation agreement” Washington has ever done, according to the White House fact sheet, Catholic leadership in the region expressed its concern to resolve long-standing conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, peacefully. Pope Leo XIV’s installation Mass: A new beginning rooted in tradition Justin McLellan May 16, 2025 Pope Leo XIV will formally begin his ministry as bishop of Rome with a liturgy steeped in tradition and rich in symbolism May 18. Pope Leo XIV on social media: Instagram and X accounts up and growing Cindy Wooden May 16, 2025 While Pope Leo XIV has deleted the account he began as Father Robert F. Prevost on Twitter, now X, in 2011, the Vatican has launched new accounts for him on X and Instagram. Pope Leo to diplomats: Church will always speak truth, work for justice Carol Glatz May 16, 2025 The Catholic Church wants to reach out and embrace all people who need and yearn for truth, justice and peace, Pope Leo XIV said in his first meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. More World News Commentary Question Corner: Does a married person need their marriage blessed or ‘convalidated’ once they become Catholic? Jenna Marie Cooper May 15, 2025 A person does not need to be Catholic or even Christian to have a valid marriage, provided that in their matrimonial consent they committed themselves to a union that would broadly match our Catholic understanding of marriage: namely, as a permanent, faithful, and exclusive union ordered fundamentally towards children and family life. Forcing clergy to break the seal of confession harms victims Cecilia Cicone May 14, 2025 Being unable to be honest with a doctor for fear of safety is one thing. Creating a situation in which victim-survivors may feel unsafe being honest with God is a violation of religious freedom and causes direct harm. My church, myself: Motherhood, mystery and mercy Elizabeth Scalia May 14, 2025 In its exposition of the lifelong depths of concern, nurturing, love, puzzlement, understanding, clemency and prayerful accompaniment, this is a description of motherhood that anyone who has experienced it, physically or spiritually, will recognize. It is also a beautifully stated, convincing argument that the Catholic Church is, indeed, mother to all the baptized. Our unexpected pope Greg Erlandson May 12, 2025 It is a reminder, as always, that when it comes to scoring papabile, usually those who know don’t say, and those who say don’t know. The choices of our new pope Jaymie Stuart Wolfe May 12, 2025 We do not yet know what choices Pope Leo will make. We can, however, pay close attention to the choices our new Holy Father has already made. More Commentary Featured Video Cardinal Robert F. Prevost became the first pope In 2012, Catholic News Service asked then-Father Prevost to read the full text of the intervention he had prepared for the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization. Afterward, we posed questions related to the themes of his presentation. While the questions have been abbreviated, his answers are included here in full.
Western Maryland parishes hit by devastating floodwaters Katie V. Jones May 16, 2025 Two days after torrential rain caused flooding in the Georges Creek Valley in Western Maryland, Father Scott Kady, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish felt blessed.
Sister of St. Francis Valerie Jarzembowski dies at 89 Catholic Review Staff May 16, 2025 A funeral Mass for Sister of St. Francis of Assisi Valerie Jarzembowski (formerly Sister Raymond) was offered May 8 at her religious community’s motherhouse in Wisconsin. Sister Valerie died April 29. She was 89.
Schools Superintendent Hargens honored for emphasizing academics, faith Christopher Gunty May 16, 2025 With Dr. Donna Hargen’s strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, it seemed appropriate for a farewell Mass and dinner for the retiring schools superintendent to be held May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.
New interim Hispanic, Urban delegates ready to serve Archdiocese of Baltimore Katie V. Jones May 15, 2025 With the appointment of Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. to the Diocese of Providence, R.I., Archbishop William E. Lori announced May 8 two interim appointments to continue the work Bishop Lewandowski had done while in Baltimore.
As Trump returns from Middle East with massive arm deals, patriarch says ‘no’ to weapons Dale Gavlak May 16, 2025 As U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Gulf Arab countries, ending May 16, brought “the largest defense cooperation agreement” Washington has ever done, according to the White House fact sheet, Catholic leadership in the region expressed its concern to resolve long-standing conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, peacefully.
Pope Leo XIV’s installation Mass: A new beginning rooted in tradition Justin McLellan May 16, 2025 Pope Leo XIV will formally begin his ministry as bishop of Rome with a liturgy steeped in tradition and rich in symbolism May 18.
Pope Leo XIV on social media: Instagram and X accounts up and growing Cindy Wooden May 16, 2025 While Pope Leo XIV has deleted the account he began as Father Robert F. Prevost on Twitter, now X, in 2011, the Vatican has launched new accounts for him on X and Instagram.
Pope Leo to diplomats: Church will always speak truth, work for justice Carol Glatz May 16, 2025 The Catholic Church wants to reach out and embrace all people who need and yearn for truth, justice and peace, Pope Leo XIV said in his first meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See.
Question Corner: Does a married person need their marriage blessed or ‘convalidated’ once they become Catholic? Jenna Marie Cooper May 15, 2025 A person does not need to be Catholic or even Christian to have a valid marriage, provided that in their matrimonial consent they committed themselves to a union that would broadly match our Catholic understanding of marriage: namely, as a permanent, faithful, and exclusive union ordered fundamentally towards children and family life.
Forcing clergy to break the seal of confession harms victims Cecilia Cicone May 14, 2025 Being unable to be honest with a doctor for fear of safety is one thing. Creating a situation in which victim-survivors may feel unsafe being honest with God is a violation of religious freedom and causes direct harm.
My church, myself: Motherhood, mystery and mercy Elizabeth Scalia May 14, 2025 In its exposition of the lifelong depths of concern, nurturing, love, puzzlement, understanding, clemency and prayerful accompaniment, this is a description of motherhood that anyone who has experienced it, physically or spiritually, will recognize. It is also a beautifully stated, convincing argument that the Catholic Church is, indeed, mother to all the baptized.
Our unexpected pope Greg Erlandson May 12, 2025 It is a reminder, as always, that when it comes to scoring papabile, usually those who know don’t say, and those who say don’t know.
The choices of our new pope Jaymie Stuart Wolfe May 12, 2025 We do not yet know what choices Pope Leo will make. We can, however, pay close attention to the choices our new Holy Father has already made.