Debates over a plan to reorganize the State Department should seek to improve American “efforts in the world at diplomacy and global citizenship,” and should prioritize human rights and humanitarian efforts, a leading foreign policy expert told OSV News.
High court hears Maryland parents’ case seeking classroom opt-out of LGBTQ+ themed books
The U.S. Supreme Court April 22 heard a case concerning a request from an interfaith group of Maryland parents to allow them to opt their children out of classroom instruction pertaining to books containing LGBTQ+ themes to which they object on religious grounds.
Pope Francis’ approach to key issues did not fit neatly in U.S. politics, experts say
Pope Francis’ approach to key issues including his concern for the environment, immigration and abortion did not fit neatly into American political ideologies, Catholic political and theology experts told OSV News.
Trump plans to attend Pope Francis’ funeral; orders US flags flown at half staff
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump plan to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, he said April 21. He also directed federal flags be flown at half-staff in the late pontiff’s honor.
White House, U.S. political leaders react to death of Pope Francis
President Donald Trump, officials in his administration and other U.S. political leaders issued statements expressing condolences for Pope Francis after the pontiff’s death April 21 at age 88.
El Salvador president says he won’t return erroneously deported, imprisoned man to U.S.
Trump administration officials and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele on April 14 dismissed arguments that an erroneously deported Maryland man should be returned to the United States from a prison where he is being held in El Salvador.
Catholic leaders, public officials condemn violence after attack on governor’s residence
Catholic leaders and public officials condemned violence and called for peace after an alleged arson attack on the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
U.S. bishops support bill easing immigrant religious workers’ path to permanent residency
The U.S. bishops on April 10 told congressional lawmakers they support bipartisan legislation that would ease some immigration restrictions on religious workers from other countries, allowing them to stay in the U.S. while they wait for permanent residency.
Napa conference examines ‘the good, the bad’ of the new Trump administration
A second Trump administration could present both challenges and opportunities for issue areas related to Catholic social teaching, bishops and policymakers said at the Napa Institute Citizens of Faith Conference on April 9.
Supreme Court permits migrant deportations under wartime law, for now
The Supreme Court issued a ruling April 7 allowing the Trump administration to continue to deport migrants accused of gang membership using a wartime powers law for now, overturning a lower court that had paused such deportations. However, the high court also stressed that individuals subject to such deportations are entitled to judicial review, prompting an emergency filing before a federal court in New York the following day.
Trump’s Vatican ambassador pick defends foreign aid cuts at confirmation hearing
Brian Burch, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, defended the Trump administration’s cuts to foreign aid at a Senate hearing April 8 on his nomination.
CRS advocates ‘Catholic, pro-life vision’ for foreign aid amid USAID shutdown
As the Trump administration moved to formally dissolve the U.S. Agency for International Development, Catholic Relief Services, the overseas charitable arm of the Catholic Church in the U.S., has advocated for U.S. foreign aid to continue on a new path shaped by Catholic principles.