The U.S. House of Representatives May 22 passed a sweeping package for President Donald Trump’s agenda, sending the legislation to the Senate for consideration.
Supreme Court deadlocks over proposed Oklahoma Catholic charter school
The high court’s 4-4 ruling means that a decision by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which found the establishment of the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School as a publicly funded religious school was unconstitutional, will stand for now.
Cuts to CRS food aid projects could impact hundreds of thousands of children, group says
Catholic Relief Services said May 21 that most of its projects under a federal international food aid program were terminated, leaving hundreds of thousands of children more vulnerable to hunger.
Trump, Vance meet Pope Leo XIV’s brother in Oval Office
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance May 20 met Louis Prevost, the older brother of Pope Leo XIV, and his wife, Deborah Prevost, at the White House.
Bishops praise, criticize federal actions affecting human life amid budget debate
As congressional lawmakers consider a sweeping package for Trump’s agenda, the U.S. Catholic bishops offered both praise and criticism of federal actions affecting human life, such involving gender transition, abortion funding, and pregnant migrants, in a pair of statements May 19.
‘Take it Down Act’ to combat online sexual exploitation signed into law
President Donald Trump on May 19 signed into law the Take It Down Act, a measure that imposes penalties for online sexual exploitation.
USCIRF praises Pope Leo XIV for continuing Vatican’s international religious freedom work
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent, bipartisan U.S. government commission that monitors religious freedom around the globe, praised Pope Leo XIV May 16 for demonstrating the Vatican would continue its advocacy for international religious freedom during his papacy.
Catholic death penalty abolition group eager for new pope to build on Francis’ legacy on issue
Catholic opponents of the death penalty said they are eager for Pope Leo XIV to build on his predecessor’s legacy of opposition to capital punishment.
Homeland Security vetting reality show idea where immigrants compete for citizenship
The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing a pitch for a reality show in which immigrants would compete for fast-tracked citizenship. Catholic immigration advocates expressed concern such a show would undermine the dignity of those seeking U.S. citizenship or legal residency and the challenges they undergo to do so.
Senate protest over USAID closure snares Vatican ambassador pick
The confirmation of Brian Burch, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, was blocked May 13 amid a hold by a Senate Democrat on State Department nominees in protest of the Trump administration’s closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Justices zero in on consequences for hospitals, gun rights in birthright citizenship case
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments May 15 over the Trump administration’s executive order to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents without legal status or temporary visa holders, and whether federal judges could properly block that order.
Vance, Rubio to attend Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass
Both Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will attend the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV on May 18, the vice president’s office said.