‘Polish Lourdes,’ where Mary appeared to 2 girls 160 times, could soon draw global attention May 4, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Marian Devotion, News, Saints, World News 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.
Pope Leo’s October meeting on marriage, family gains urgency amid declining birth rates in West April 27, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Marriage & Family Life, News, Vatican, World News As declining birth rates reshape the West, a global conversation on marriage and family is gaining urgency ahead of an October gathering in Rome convened by Pope Leo XIV.
Vilnius’ hospice stands as a living work of Divine Mercy as city prepares to host global congress April 12, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Thousands of pilgrims are expected to gather in June in the Lithuanian capital for the sixth World Apostolic Congress on Mercy, or WACOM, a five-day event that has previously been held in cities such as Rome, Kraków, Bogota and Manila.
Polish officer gives Christian witness at White House ceremony March 6, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: News, World News When President Donald Trump on March 2 posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis during a White House ceremony, the recognition did more than honor a battlefield hero.
Ukrainian Church transformed by 4 years of war, Kyiv’s bishop says February 24, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, War in Ukraine, World News Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war has fundamentally reshaped the Catholic Church’s mission — turning parishes into shelters, priests into chaplains and charity into daily survival, Ukrainian bishop and leader of charity efforts told OSV News.
As France holds day of prayer for people at the end of life, world’s euthanasia numbers soar February 20, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News As Catholics in France prepare for a nationwide prayer and fasting initiative Feb. 20 in anticipation of the final vote on a bill that “leads our country down the path of euthanasia and assisted suicide” and to “ask the Lord to enlighten consciences on the gravity of the challenges posed by this proposed law” — numbers of euthanasia procedures spike around the world.
Olympic ski jumping silver, bronze medals lay on altar as young athlete’s faith goes viral February 18, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Sports, World News At the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Polish ski jumper Kacper Tomasiak made history — and then went to Mass.
Commission issues ‘painful’ abuse report on Polish diocese, a first in the crisis-hit nation February 17, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, World News A newly released clerical sexual abuse report in Poland’s Diocese of Sosnowiec is being described by investigators as a necessary step toward accountability, while Church leaders call it a painful but essential moment in rebuilding trust after years of scandals.
Shevchuk: Faith endures as Ukraine’s source of hope as full-scale war marks 4th anniversary February 5, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: News, War in Ukraine, World News Nearly four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, intensified Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure are deepening the country’s humanitarian crisis — and faith remains central to Ukraine’s endurance, the country’s outspoken prelate told OSV News.
Russia aims to ‘freeze’ Ukrainians, prelate says; missile attacks turn Kyiv into ‘cold trap’ January 26, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: News, War in Ukraine, World News Russia’s latest missile strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities were aimed deliberately at civilians and civilian infrastructure and bear clear signs of crimes against humanity, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said, as Ukraine enters another week of winter fighting.
A silent life behind three popes: Farewell to Angelo Gugel, the iconic papal butler January 22, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: News, Obituaries, Vatican, World News Five cardinals bid their farewell Jan. 17 to Angelo Gugel, the pontifical butler and witness to modern papal history, who stood silently behind St. John Paul II for nearly three decades, and contributed to saving the pope on the day of the assasination attempt.
Kyiv’s iconic St. Nicholas Church returns to Catholic hands for 50 years January 16, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, War in Ukraine, World News After decades of legal disputes, delays and competing claims, Ukraine’s Roman Catholic community has received the right to use Kyiv’s historic St. Nicholas Church for the next 50 years, under an agreement signed with the state.
