NY state drops case to mandate religious groups cover abortion in employee health insurance January 20, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News The state of New York has given up on trying to enforce an insurance regulation that would have forced Catholic and other religious organizations to pay for abortions.
Charges for pro-life activists over disruption at abortion clinic dismissed in plea deal January 19, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News Six pro-life activists, most of them Catholics, arrested last year for disrupting the activities of an abortion clinic in Pennsylvania as part of a Red Rose Rescue, have had their charges dismissed in a plea deal.
USCCB president exhorts faithful to heed MLK’s call to be ‘a drum major for justice’ January 18, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Feature, News, Racial Justice, World News Marking the Jan. 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, urged Catholics to reflect on how they are called to be “drum majors for justice” in their own communities.
Capuchin friar who was one of last people with direct ties to Padre Pio dies at age 85 January 16, 2026By OSV News The Dialog Filed Under: News, Saints, World News Capuchin Franciscan Father John Aurilia — the former assistant to St. Padre Pio whose final interview last October on the Wilmington’s Diocese’s Catholic Forum broke records as it was viewed nearly 300,000 times — died Jan. 13 in Wilmington. He was 85.
Vatican completes official mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV for papal basilica January 15, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican has completed the official mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV, continuing a centuries-old tradition that marks the election of each new pontiff. The circular mosaic, known as a tondo, was created by the Vatican Mosaic Studio of the Fabric of St. Peter’s and will be installed in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
Pope Leo XIV to visit Spain this summer, with stops in Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands January 10, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News With the jubilee year now officially ended, the pope’s travel schedule is also expected to ramp up, with one trip especially dear to the pontiff just confirmed: a June visit to Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands.
Minneapolis Catholic leaders speak out about community fear after ICE-involved shooting January 9, 2026By OSV News The Catholic Spirit Filed Under: Gun Violence, Immigration and Migration, News, World News An interfaith gathering of faith leaders in Minneapolis Jan. 8 drew a crowd as faith leaders raised concerns about the impact immigration enforcement actions are having on people in the community, including Catholic parishes in Minneapolis.
Pope accepts resignation of Rochester Bishop Matano, names Bishop Bonnici as successor January 7, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Salvatore R. Matano of Rochester and named as his successor Bishop John S. Bonnici, currently auxiliary bishop of New York.
Sisters who manage school of kidnapped Nigerian children: ‘Your compassion became a lifeline’ January 5, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Following the liberation of all the children and staff abducted from St. Mary’s School in the Nigerian town of Papiri, the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, who manage the school, have expressed deep gratitude for the support received during the trying period.
Pope Leo mourns tragic New Year fire in ski resort bar; 40 presumed dead January 2, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Disaster Relief, News, World News “Several dozen” people are presumed dead after a fire broke out in a bar packed with people celebrating the New Year in a Swiss ski resort bar.
India: Christmas celebrations disturbed or canceled over Hindu nationalist violence December 30, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Christmas visit to a Protestant cathedral in New Delhi has drawn renewed criticism from Christian leaders, who say symbolic gestures are no substitute for action amid rising anti-Christian violence.
Delaware law enforcement, governor, community mourn loss of trooper in fatal shooting December 29, 2025By OSV News The Dialog Filed Under: Gun Violence, News, World News The Delaware State Police are mourning the Dec. 23 fatal shooting of a 10-year veteran of the force who was an alum of a Catholic high school in the Wilmington Diocese and a standout wrestler in high school and college.
