National shrine planned to honor Venerable Augustus Tolton in western Illinois May 5, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News The first publicly recognized Black Catholic priest in the United States — who has already had 40 potential miracles through his intercession investigated — is now getting his own national shrine in western Illinois where he grew up and once served.
Augustinian charisms of truth, unity, love revealed in Pope Leo’s pastoral style, say panelists May 1, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News One year in, Pope Leo XIV’s papacy has been rooted in truth, unity and love — the distinct gifts of his religious order, the Order of St. Augustine — making him a shepherd who leads with a blend of bridge-building and truth-telling, according to those who know him well and from afar.
Disability ministry in the Church is making strides, but needs more widespread adoption in parishes April 25, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Disabilities Ministry, Feature, News, World News On Easter in Chicago’s St. James Catholic Church, a congregation made up mostly of people with disabilities and their families attended the Chicago archdiocesan Special Religious Development ministry’s Mass like any other time of year.
Investigation ‘ongoing’ in false bomb threat at home of Pope Leo’s brother April 17, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News The police chief of a southwest suburb of Chicago, where one of Pope Leo XIV’s brothers lives, confirmed to OSV News that his department is conducting “an ongoing and active investigation” of an unsubstantiated bomb threat at John Prevost’s house.
Americans continue to feel drawn to Pope Leo, first American pontiff, a year after election April 16, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News A year into his papacy, Pope Leo XIV is still enjoying popularity and rockstar-like fame, especially in Chicago, his hometown. Beyond the pop-culture interest, some of the faithful told OSV News his message of peace, dedication to the faith and outreach to young people have stood out.
Catholics express grief, warn of politicizing immigration issue in murder of Loyola student March 30, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Gun Violence, News, World News Catholics in Chicago have expressed sympathy and sorrow over the death of a Loyola University Chicago student who was shot and killed March 19 near the school campus.
Illinois advocates warn against effort to enshrine abortion, gender transition in state constitution March 24, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News Pro-life advocates on March 19 called on nearly 3,000 marchers at the Illinois State Capitol to oppose a potential amendment that they said would enshrine abortion and gender transitions, including for minors, in the Illinois constitution.
Black farmers in Deep South see hope in Edmundites’ farming aid, grant program March 15, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: News, Racial Justice, Social Justice, World News Some small farmers in the country’s impoverished Black Belt are poised to see significant returns after getting help from a fledgling Catholic farming aid and grant program in central Alabama.
Minnesota Jesuit priest, clergy of other faiths sue DHS over denied entry to ICE facility February 27, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, World News An ecumenical group of Minnesota clergy, including a Jesuit priest, filed a lawsuit Feb. 23 against the Department of Homeland Security over being barred from giving spiritual care to those being detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in the Twin Cities area.
Augustinian shares how Pope Leo fought evil in Peru as new bust unveiled in Chicago February 27, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News The first commissioned bust of Pope Leo XIV by famed Catholic sculptor Timothy Schmalz was installed in Chicago Feb. 22 at Catholic Theological Union, the graduate theology school where the pope is an alumnus. The bust is one of only three Pope Leo sculptures by Schmalz, so far. They are all located in the Americas.
Mother Cabrini garners most votes as person to be depicted in planned statue for Chicago park February 27, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, Saints, World News A statue of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American saint, will be put in a public park on Chicago’s Near West Side. It will replace a Christopher Columbus statue that was removed during the pandemic.
Pastoral care is finally allowed inside Chicago-area ICE facility — on Ash Wednesday February 19, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, Lent, News, World News After months of trying, religious and clergy were finally able to enter the processing center for migrants without papers on the outskirts of Chicago on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18. They gave Communion and distributed ashes to those inside.
