Christian sites under attack in Holy Land as violence and displacement intensify ‘Polish Lourdes,’ where Mary appeared to 2 girls 160 times, could soon draw global attention Lord of the Dance meets Shepherd of the Flock: Michael Flatley greets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican Pope Leo XIV meets with Catholic Charities USA leadership, urges mission of compassion Supreme Court hits brakes on court ruling that blocked abortion pill distribution by mail Local News Archbishop announces associate pastor and deacon appointments Catholic Review Staff May 4, 2026 Archbishop William E. Lori announces the following appointments: Radio Interview: Prolific Catholic author Emily Stimpson Chapman on wine, monasteries and the art of hospitality Catholic Review Staff May 4, 2026 Host Rita Buettner speaks with Emily Stimpson Chapman, a bestselling Catholic author, who explains how monks preserved and elevated winemaking after the fall of the Roman Empire Sisters of Bon Secours name inaugural executive director Catholic Review Staff May 3, 2026 The Marriottsville-based Sisters of Bon Secours USA named Kathy Connerton as the congregation’s inaugural executive director of mission and business operations. Pope Leo XIV reshapes Washington, W.Va. leadership; two bishops have Baltimore ties George P. Matysek Jr. May 1, 2026 A bishop who began his episcopal ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore is among those stepping down as Pope Leo XIV announced a set of appointments May 1 affecting the Archdiocese of Washington and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va. A second bishop with Baltimore ties is also among those affected. More Local News World News Christian sites under attack in Holy Land as violence and displacement intensify Paulina Guzik May 4, 2026 After May 2 news reports that Israeli bulldozers demolished Holy Savior Christian school in the village of Yaroun, in southern Lebanon, the Israeli Defense Forces said that while some damage was caused, they denied “demolishing” the site with bulldozers. ‘Polish Lourdes,’ where Mary appeared to 2 girls 160 times, could soon draw global attention Katarzyna Szalajko May 4, 2026 A Marian sanctuary in the heart of northern Europe’s countryside — often called the “Polish Lourdes” — could soon draw global attention, as Pope Leo XIV has been invited to visit the site where the Virgin Mary appeared approximately 160 times. Lord of the Dance meets Shepherd of the Flock: Michael Flatley greets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican Courtney Mares May 4, 2026 Irish dance superstar Michael Flatley stepped into the Vatican to meet Pope Leo XIV April 29, leaving the “Lord of the Dance” creator reflective on how faith and footwork are gifts from God. Pope Leo XIV meets with Catholic Charities USA leadership, urges mission of compassion Courtney Mares May 4, 2026 Pope Leo XIV met the leadership of Catholic Charities USA in an audience at the Vatican on May 4, offering words of encouragement to one of the country’s largest disaster relief networks as it navigates growing demand for food and basic services to aid the poor in the United States. More World News Commentary Father John Courtney Murray: Advocate for cooperation between church, state Russell Shaw May 2, 2026 By all odds, the distinguished intellectual landmark in the project of integrating Catholicism and Americanism is “We Hold These Truths: Catholic Reflections on the American Proposition,” a collection of essays published in 1960 by the theologian Jesuit Father John Courtney Murray. In thanksgiving for the gift of baptism George Weigel April 30, 2026 Participation in the “communion of saints” is one of the great gifts conferred in baptism. As I give thanks for the gift of my baptism seventy-five years ago, it is incorporation into this “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) for which I am particularly grateful. An overnight trip to see an off-off-off-off-off-off-Broadway musical Rita Buettner April 29, 2026 Back in the fall, my sister Maureen reached out to tell us that her son, a junior in high school, had landed an actual role in his school musical. What the Easter Scriptures teach us about how to live as family Laura Kelly Fanucci April 28, 2026 What goodness of God, to give the gifts we need: extra time, real companions, rich stories and relentless grace. In the family of faith, even in our hardest days, we are never alone on the road. Question Corner: Am I obligated to do my penance right away for my confession to be valid? Jenna Marie Cooper April 28, 2026 Now it occurs to me that since I didn’t say my penance right away, my confession was invalid and I shouldn’t have received Communion at Mass. Is this a new sin I need to confess? More Commentary Featured Video On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis died, marking the end of a historic and deeply influential pontificate. His death led to a conclave that elected his successor, Robert Prevost, now known as Pope Leo XIV.
Archbishop announces associate pastor and deacon appointments Catholic Review Staff May 4, 2026 Archbishop William E. Lori announces the following appointments:
Radio Interview: Prolific Catholic author Emily Stimpson Chapman on wine, monasteries and the art of hospitality Catholic Review Staff May 4, 2026 Host Rita Buettner speaks with Emily Stimpson Chapman, a bestselling Catholic author, who explains how monks preserved and elevated winemaking after the fall of the Roman Empire
Sisters of Bon Secours name inaugural executive director Catholic Review Staff May 3, 2026 The Marriottsville-based Sisters of Bon Secours USA named Kathy Connerton as the congregation’s inaugural executive director of mission and business operations.
Pope Leo XIV reshapes Washington, W.Va. leadership; two bishops have Baltimore ties George P. Matysek Jr. May 1, 2026 A bishop who began his episcopal ministry in the Archdiocese of Baltimore is among those stepping down as Pope Leo XIV announced a set of appointments May 1 affecting the Archdiocese of Washington and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va. A second bishop with Baltimore ties is also among those affected.
Christian sites under attack in Holy Land as violence and displacement intensify Paulina Guzik May 4, 2026 After May 2 news reports that Israeli bulldozers demolished Holy Savior Christian school in the village of Yaroun, in southern Lebanon, the Israeli Defense Forces said that while some damage was caused, they denied “demolishing” the site with bulldozers.
‘Polish Lourdes,’ where Mary appeared to 2 girls 160 times, could soon draw global attention Katarzyna Szalajko May 4, 2026 A Marian sanctuary in the heart of northern Europe’s countryside — often called the “Polish Lourdes” — could soon draw global attention, as Pope Leo XIV has been invited to visit the site where the Virgin Mary appeared approximately 160 times.
Lord of the Dance meets Shepherd of the Flock: Michael Flatley greets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican Courtney Mares May 4, 2026 Irish dance superstar Michael Flatley stepped into the Vatican to meet Pope Leo XIV April 29, leaving the “Lord of the Dance” creator reflective on how faith and footwork are gifts from God.
Pope Leo XIV meets with Catholic Charities USA leadership, urges mission of compassion Courtney Mares May 4, 2026 Pope Leo XIV met the leadership of Catholic Charities USA in an audience at the Vatican on May 4, offering words of encouragement to one of the country’s largest disaster relief networks as it navigates growing demand for food and basic services to aid the poor in the United States.
Father John Courtney Murray: Advocate for cooperation between church, state Russell Shaw May 2, 2026 By all odds, the distinguished intellectual landmark in the project of integrating Catholicism and Americanism is “We Hold These Truths: Catholic Reflections on the American Proposition,” a collection of essays published in 1960 by the theologian Jesuit Father John Courtney Murray.
In thanksgiving for the gift of baptism George Weigel April 30, 2026 Participation in the “communion of saints” is one of the great gifts conferred in baptism. As I give thanks for the gift of my baptism seventy-five years ago, it is incorporation into this “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) for which I am particularly grateful.
An overnight trip to see an off-off-off-off-off-off-Broadway musical Rita Buettner April 29, 2026 Back in the fall, my sister Maureen reached out to tell us that her son, a junior in high school, had landed an actual role in his school musical.
What the Easter Scriptures teach us about how to live as family Laura Kelly Fanucci April 28, 2026 What goodness of God, to give the gifts we need: extra time, real companions, rich stories and relentless grace. In the family of faith, even in our hardest days, we are never alone on the road.
Question Corner: Am I obligated to do my penance right away for my confession to be valid? Jenna Marie Cooper April 28, 2026 Now it occurs to me that since I didn’t say my penance right away, my confession was invalid and I shouldn’t have received Communion at Mass. Is this a new sin I need to confess?
