Trump says he has ‘right to disagree’ with Pope Leo, meeting him not ‘necessary’ April 17, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House April 16 that he does not see a meeting with Pope Leo XIV as “necessary” after the president lashed out at the pontiff on social media and in verbal remarks over the pontiff’s opposition to the Iran war over the course of several days starting April 12.
US bishops’ doctrine chair defends Church’s just war tradition after Vance comments April 16, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Shortly after Vice President JD Vance appeared to warn Pope Leo XIV to “be careful” when speaking about theology and taking issue with his description of the U.S. conflict in Iran as unjust, the U.S. bishops’ point-man on doctrine issued a forceful statement on the Church’s teaching about just war theory.
Pro-life groups urge DOJ to stop opposing state abortion pill lawsuits April 15, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News A coalition of 78 pro-life groups sent a letter to acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche urging the Department of Justice to stop asking courts to dismiss or pause state lawsuits to roll back the Biden administration’s eased restrictions on mifepristone.
Religious Liberty Commission holds final hearing in shadow of Christian backlash to Trump posts April 14, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News At the capstone hearing of the Department of Justice’s Religious Liberty Commission April 13, commissioners considered testimony from their seven hearings, signaling several areas for potential policy recommendations that they may include in their report to the president.
Trump lashes out at Pope Leo amid Iran war rebuke April 13, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News President Donald Trump lashed out at Pope Leo XIV on social media and in verbal remarks April 12, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” as tensions escalate in the Mideast.
Latest Planned Parenthood report: abortions and taxpayer funding up, cancer screenings down April 12, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News Planned Parenthood’s new 2024-2025 annual report showed an increase in abortions from the previous year’s report, while also showing an increase in government funding. At the same time, it showed a decrease in cancer screenings and prevention services.
Vatican says report Pentagon officials lectured its ambassador about Pope Leo ‘completely untrue’ April 11, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Holy See Press Office issued a statement April 10 disputing a report by The Free Press several days earlier that the Vatican’s top diplomat in the U.S. was brought to the Pentagon in January for a “bitter lecture” about comments from Pope Leo XIV that some senior U.S. defense officials perceived as criticism of the Trump administration.
Pentagon disputes report senior officials lectured Vatican diplomat about Pope Leo April 9, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The top Vatican diplomat in the U.S. was brought to the Pentagon in January for a “bitter lecture” about comments from Pope Leo XIV that some senior U.S. defense officials perceived as criticism of the Trump administration, The Free Press reported April 6.
Judge pauses state’s abortion pill lawsuit until FDA completes timely safety review April 9, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News A federal judge on April 7 paused Louisiana’s lawsuit challenging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone pending its promised safety review.
Trump backs down from threat to annihilate Iran condemned by Catholic leaders April 8, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, War in Iran, World News President Donald Trump on April 7 backed down from his threat to wipe out Iran’s “whole civilization,” citing negotiations with Pakistani mediators.
Pope Leo urges citizens to call on leaders to reject war after ‘unacceptable’ Trump Iran threat April 7, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, War in Iran, World News Pope Leo urges citizens to call on leaders to reject war after ‘unacceptable’ Trump Iran threat
US bishops’ leader rebukes Trump after he threatens Iran’s ‘whole civilization will die tonight’ April 7, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News President Donald Trump threatened a “whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not make a deal by 8 p.m. EDT on April 7 — a statement that drew a stark rebuke within hours from the leader of the U.S. Catholic bishops, who invoked Pope Leo XIV’s recent appeals for peace as he called on the president “to step back from the precipice.”
