U.S.-led Board of Peace a ‘colonialist operation,’ Cardinal Pizzaballa says February 17, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, strongly criticized the U.S.-led Board of Peace, an international body chaired by President Donald Trump to oversee the governance and reconstruction of Gaza.
Catechist, pregnant wife among kidnapped in latest anti-Christian attacks in Nigeria February 13, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Several gunmen abducted 32 people in Nigeria’s Kaduna state, including a catechist and his pregnant wife, in an attack that has increased fears of Christians in the country who have been targeted over several weeks.
European bishops appeal for unity, warn against ‘idolatry’ of nationalism February 13, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, World News The presidents of the Italian, French, German and Polish bishops’ conferences issued a joint appeal calling for European unity in the face of continued global instability and to draw from the lessons of the past to prevent future catastrophes.
Cuban bishops postpone ‘ad limina’ visit amid fuel shortage crisis February 12, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Caribbean, News, Vatican, World News The bishops of Cuba have postponed their planned “ad limina” visit to Rome after government authorities announced that airlines could no longer refuel due to U.S. tariff threats against countries supplying oil to the island nation.
Assisi relic arrives in Southern Arabian vicariate February 11, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, Saints, World News A stone from the Porziuncola, the small church in Italy where St. Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan order and where he died 800 years ago, arrived in the Arabian Peninsula.
Vatican aid a sign of Pope Leo’s closeness to suffering Ukrainians, papal almoner says February 10, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News As a relentless winter descends upon wartorn Ukraine with temperatures dropping to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, the Holy See has intensified its humanitarian response to the nation’s energy and health crises.
Jimmy Lai’s daughter hopes for ‘political solution’ after devastating sentence February 10, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Journalism, News, Religious Freedom, World News The daughter of imprisoned media entrepreneur and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai said that while the 20-year sentence he was given was heartbreaking, her family, and especially her father, still trusts in “divine providence” for a solution.
Archbishop Sheen’s cause for beatification has hit many speed bumps along way February 9, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Evangelization, News, Saints, World News After decades of anticipation and a cause marked by unexpected delays, the Diocese of Peoria has announced that Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen — beloved evangelist, television pioneer and native son of Illinois — will at last be beatified, a joy-filled announcement that comes only after years of legal disputes and renewed scrutiny briefly slowed his path to the altars.
Vatican confirms pope will not visit U.S. in 2026 February 9, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican press office confirmed that Pope Leo XIV has no plans to visit the U.S. this year.
Pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20-year imprisonment February 9, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Journalism, News, Religious Freedom, World News Media entrepreneur and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai, whose arrest nearly six years ago prompted outrage around the world, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
As Lent approaches, Catholics urged to leave ‘hesitation at the door’ and visit Holy Land February 8, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Lent, News, World News Franciscan Father Francesco Ielpo, custos of the Holy Land, urged pilgrims to return not only as an opportunity to be where Christ was, but also as a sign of solidarity with Christians in the area whose livelihoods depend on pilgrims.
Olympics 2026: Milan Archdiocese invites youth to live Olympic values, not just watch February 6, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, Sports, World News, Youth Ministry The 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games opening Feb. 6 are not merely a display of athletic prowess, but an opportunity to rediscover sports as a means of fostering peace in a fractured world, said an official of the Archdiocese of Milan.
