Pope Leo warns of ‘irreparable abyss,’ if diplomacy doesn’t take over violence in Iran, Middle East March 2, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV issued a fervent appeal for return of diplomacy in “these dramatic hours” in the Middle East and Iran, condemning use of weapons that cause “destruction, pain, and death.”
Pope Leo XIV concludes retreat urging Church to live the Gospel worthily March 2, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Lent, News, Vatican, World News As the first Lenten retreat of his pontificate drew to a close, Pope Leo XIV thanked Norwegian Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim for “a profound, spiritual experience” after which, the pope said, he felt “particularly invited to reflect at certain moments.”
Meloni-look-alike angel removed from Rome church after brief viral moment February 5, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News A Roman church briefly became a viral sensation after an angel’s face appeared to resemble Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, then just as quickly lost its star attraction.
Meloni look-alike angel sparks investigation at historic Roman church February 3, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News If anything can electrify Italians on a Saturday, it’s certainly a combination of politics and scandal. This time, angels were involved as Romans rushed to the church of San Lorenzo in Lucina, in the proximity of the tourist-bustling Spanish Steps and Via del Corso, to see an angel in a freshly restored chapel with a face identical to that of Giorgia Meloni, Italian prime minister.
Pope welcomes new Marian mosaic, St. Rose of Lima statue in Vatican Gardens February 2, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Marian Devotion, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican Gardens welcomed a new Marian mosaic and a statue of St. Rose of Lima, both created by young artists from Peru — in a ceremony that clearly delighted Pope Leo XIV — an American-born pope that holds Peru in “a special place” in his heart.
‘Peru holds a special place in my heart,’ pope tells Peruvian bishops, surprises them at lunch January 30, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Peruvian bishops’ visit to the tomb of the apostles made global news for a different reason: an unusual guest at their lunch and fraternal affection from the pope who is claimed by Peruvian faithful as their own.
Amid UK–China talks, Jimmy Lai’s daughter finds hope in faith, calls for his release January 30, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News As British Prime Minister Keir Starmer traveled to China amid renewed calls to press Beijing on human rights, Claire Lai, daughter of imprisoned Catholic media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, marked the moment in prayer at a snowy Washington Mass.
Cardinal Fernández warns against ‘ex cathedra’ condemnations online, urges humility January 29, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News The prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith opened the discastery’s Jan. 27-29 plenary session with a strong call for humility in thought, theology and online discourse.
We are not created for algorithms, but human encounter, Pope Leo says in programmatic message on AI January 26, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV didn’t just write his first message as pontiff for World Communications Day Jan. 24. He wrote a programmatic document on artificial intelligence in response to the challenges of the modern world, just like Pope Leo XIII faced the industrial revolution more than a century before.
Cardinal says Ukrainian medal belongs to all Catholics, not him, as he urges continued aid January 24, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: News, War in Ukraine, World News Amid launching a dramatic appeal to help Ukrainians “freezing in genocidal attacks by Russia,” and after coordinating years of humanitarian efforts for the country, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner said he is “unable to accept the medal announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” the prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity told OSV News Jan. 23.
Pope Leo warns against chasing approval, calls for deeper spiritual focus January 19, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Approval, public consensus and visibility are often given undue importance in modern society, shaping how people think, behave and even understand themselves, Pope Leo XIV warned in his Jan. 18 Angelus address. That focus, he warned, can lead to personal suffering, social division and relationships that are fragile and ultimately disappointing.
Pope Leo comforts families of victims of Swiss Crans-Montana tragic bar fire January 15, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Disaster Relief, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV met Jan. 15 with the families of victims of the Crans-Montana bar fire on New Year’s night, which took the lives of 40 people and injured 116 in a Swiss resort tragedy.
