For its 400th anniversary, St. Peter’s Basilica to get 21st-century upgrade, Vatican announces February 22, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News Four hundred years after its consecration, St. Peter’s Basilica is getting a 21st-century upgrade, with the Vatican unveiling plans for AI-powered translation services, expanded pilgrim access and high-tech structural monitoring as part of yearlong anniversary celebrations.
SSPX rejects Vatican dialogue, plans to consecrate bishops without papal mandate February 19, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, Vatican, World News The Society of St. Pius X has rejected a Vatican offer of dialogue and said it will move forward with plans to ordain bishops without a papal mandate this summer.
From Pompeii to Pavia: Pope Leo XIV to make 6 pastoral visits throughout Italy February 19, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV will travel to six destinations across Italy this year, the Vatican announced on Feb. 19, journeying from the shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii in the south to the tomb of St. Augustine in northern Italy.
Pope Leo XIV calls for ‘countercultural’ repentance on first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate February 18, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News Beneath the Roman pines of the Aventine Hill, Pope Leo XIV led a solemn penitential procession Feb. 18 to Rome’s oldest extant basilica, marking the first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate with a call for “countercultural” repentance for sins from individuals, institutions and the Church itself.
Pope Leo XIV on Ash Wednesday: Ask the Lord for the gift of true conversion this Lent February 18, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News On Ash Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV encouraged Catholics to ask the Lord for “the gift of true conversion” at the start of the 40-day penitential season of Lent.
Pope Leo XIV explains why Catholics fast during Lent February 13, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News The ancient practice of fasting from food during Lent can free us from complacency and lead us to “hunger” for God, Pope Leo XIV said in his 2026 Lenten message.
Cardinal Fernández proposes path of theological dialogue with SSPX toward full communion February 12, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican’s doctrine chief proposed a path of theological dialogue with the Society of St. Pius X, the traditionalist Catholic group threatening to defy Rome by ordaining bishops without papal approval, during a meeting at the Vatican on Feb. 12.
Pope Leo XIV prays at Vatican’s Lourdes grotto for the sick on World Day of the Sick February 11, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Marian Devotion, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV prayed with the sick at the Lourdes grotto in the Vatican Gardens on Feb. 11, asking Our Lady of Lourdes to accompany all those who suffer in the world.
Pope accepts resignation of Archbishop Aymond, 76, and confirms coadjutor as successor February 11, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Feature, News, World News Pope Leo XIV has confirmed Archbishop James F. Checchio as the new leader of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, effective immediately, following the retirement of Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond on Feb. 11.
Pope Leo XIV expected to visit Assisi during Year of St. Francis, archbishop says February 10, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: News, Saints, Vatican, World News The Italian hill town of Assisi is anticipating a visit from Pope Leo XIV during the special Jubilee Year of St. Francis as the city celebrates the 800th anniversary of the death of its most famous saint.
Pope Leo XIV urges Christian formators to learn from ‘spiritual giants’ like Augustine February 6, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: News, Saints, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV urged Christian leaders on Feb. 6 to look to the examples of “spiritual giants” including Ss. Philip Neri, Ignatius of Loyola and Augustine as models for faith formation.
Pope Leo XIV meets leaders of chastity apostolate for Catholics with same-sex attractions February 6, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News ope Leo XIV met Feb. 6 with leaders of Courage International, a Catholic apostolate that provides spiritual support to people with same-sex attraction who seek to live chaste lives in accordance with Church teaching.
