Pope ‘saddened’ by deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan September 2, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Disaster Relief, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV expressed his sorrow following a devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Afghanistan’s eastern region, which killed hundreds and injured thousands.
Ahead of canonization, new statue of Blessed Carlo Acutis unveiled in Assisi August 22, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News A new statue depicting Blessed Carlo Acutis is a message that conveys to the world that the Catholic Church is not an old institution but a young and vibrant church with a relevant message for today’s culture, said the statue’s sculptor.
Head of Spanish political party criticizes Catholic Church’s defense of Muslim community August 12, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, News, World News The Spanish bishops’ conference was criticized by the head of Spain’s far-right VOX party after the church expressed religious concerns following a local council’s measure that would effectively ban Muslims from holding religious events in certain areas.
Pope Leo stands with youth in Gaza, Ukraine, calls for dialogue, not war August 4, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News, Youth Ministry In a message of solidarity and peace, Pope Leo XIV said the Catholic Church stands with young people suffering in war-torn areas, including Gaza and Ukraine.
Pope Leo urges youth to find hope, friendship in Christ in uncertain times August 3, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Jubilee 2025, News, Vatican, World News Addressing an estimated 1 million young people, Pope Leo XIV urged them to forge genuine relationships rooted in Christ rather than ephemeral online connections that can reduce individuals to a commodity.
Young teen’s relics a reminder for pilgrims that holiness ‘is not impossible’ August 1, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Jubilee 2025, News, Saints, Vatican, World News Along one of Rome’s busiest streets, Via del Corso, traffic moves slowly as hundreds of pilgrims crisscross traffic on foot to get to their destination.
Festival of digital missionaries celebrates faithful witness in the digital age July 30, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Jubilee 2025, News, Vatican, World News Rome’s historic Risorgimento Square, built in the 19th century in honor of the unification of Italy, has always been a gateway to Vatican City with countless pilgrims, tourists, and locals passing through it on their way to St. Peter’s Basilica.
Peace by force is a ‘troubling’ idea, Iran cardinal says July 23, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News The recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran has brought about fear and anxiety in the country and tested the faith of its small Catholic community, said Belgian Cardinal Dominique Mathieu of Tehran-Isfahan.
Spain: Archbishop calls for unity following outcry over botched restoration of Marian statue June 25, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Feature, News, World News Archbishop José Ángel Saiz Meneses of Seville urged unity among Catholics upset over the recent restoration of a 17th-century statue of the Virgin Mary known as the Virgin of La Macarena, or Our Lady of Hope of Macarena.
Cuban bishops urge leaders to address nation’s economic crisis June 18, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Jubilee 2025, News, Social Justice, World News The bishops of Cuba said the island nation’s economic situation and its people’s dire circumstances can no longer be ignored and must be addressed by its leaders.
Pope ‘deeply saddened’ by tragic Air India plane crash June 12, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV expressed his closeness to victims’ families after an Air India flight headed to London Gatwick airport crashed shortly after takeoff in the western city of Ahmedabad.
In Syria, doubts raised about discovery of body said to be that of kidnapped priest June 4, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News The announcement of the discovery of a body believed to be that of Jesuit Father Paolo Dall’Oglio has prompted church officials in Syria, including the apostolic nuncio, to urge prudence as investigations continue.