Syrian archbishop awarded John Paul prize; he says hope for peace not lost but evil continues October 17, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News For Syrian Archbishop Jacques Mourad of Homs, who was held captive by the Islamic State group for five months in 2015, receiving an award named after St. John Paul II was a hopeful reminder of the late pontiff’s efforts to advance peace and dialogue in uncertain times.
New saints highlight power of faith amid spiritual, personal challenges October 16, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News When Pope Leo XIV raises three women and four men to the altar Oct. 19, he will canonize a diverse group of religious and lay men and women, all bound by the virtue of holding on to their faith amid personal, spiritual, and external challenges.
Monastery where St. Carlo Acutis received first Communion in ruins after massive fire October 14, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Uncategorized A 17th-century monastery in northern Italy where recently canonized St. Carlo Acutis received his first Communion was in ruins after a massive fire ravaged the historic building.
Christian leaders blame Israel for dwindling number of Christians in Holy Land September 30, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, News, World News Christian leaders in the Holy Land, as well as Palestinian government officials, condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent speech at the United Nations General Assembly and blamed the Israeli occupation for the decreasing number of Christians in the area.
Father Rupnik’s alleged victim receives standing ovation at documentary premiere September 26, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Movie & Television Reviews, News, World News A new documentary on the abuses allegedly committed by Father Marko Rupnik and survivors’ pursuit of justice received high praise at the Toronto International Film Festival, or TIFF, including for Gloria Branciani, an alleged victim who received a four-minute standing ovation.
Spain’s Tower of Jesus Christ will make Sagrada Familia world’s tallest Catholic church September 24, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News Over a century in the making, the Tower of Jesus Christ, designed by famed Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, will soon crown the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, making it the tallest Catholic Church in the world.
New Maciel documentary a ‘cathartic’ experience, Legionaries head says September 18, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, Movie & Television Reviews A new documentary on the life and crimes of Father Marcial Maciel Degollado was another chance for members of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi to confront the truth of their founder’s dark past and the suffering inflicted on innocent victims, said Father John Connor, general director of the congregation.
Italian police foil attempted attack on Catholic festival; Turkish suspects arrested September 5, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, Vatican, World News Italian police and special forces thwarted a possible terrorist attack meant to target a centuries-old Catholic festival that thousands of people, including Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, were expected to attend.
Pope saddened by loss of life in streetcar derailment in Portugal that killed 17 September 4, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV expressed condolences to victims and their families after the derailment of Lisbon’s historic funicular streetcar Elevador da Glória, which caused the death of over a dozen people.
Norway: Bishops ‘troubled’ by growing support for euthanasia September 4, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News The growing acceptance of euthanasia in Norway represents a troubling trend that threatens the protection of human life and dignity from conception to natural death, Norwegian bishops said.
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.
