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.
The No. 1 person former President Obama most wants to meet? It’s Pope Leo XIV February 17, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: News, Racial Justice, Vatican, World News Former President Barack Obama said in a YouTube interview posted Feb. 14 he wants to meet Pope Leo XIV.
Federal judge orders Catholic group be let into ICE facility on Ash Wednesday February 16, 2026By Simone Orendain Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, Lent, News, Religious Freedom, World News A federal district judge granted a preliminary injunction Feb. 12 that will allow clergy, religious and Catholic social justice advocates to enter a Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility west of Chicago on Ash Wednesday to provide ashes and holy Communion.
Catholic immigrant advocates call for humane approach as report finds child ICE detentions up 600 percent February 6, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, World News Catholic leaders, including an official from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ migration office, reiterated a pastoral approach to the issue of child detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Illinois pitching for funds to shore up abortion tourism denounced as ‘macabre’ February 3, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News The executive director of the Illinois bishops’ conference and an Illinois pro-life leader have decried the state’s call for funding to support Illinois’ abortion tourism industry after recent data indicated a slight weakening in the number of out-of-state women coming to the state to abort their unborn children.
Federal appeals court blocks injunction against California’s ‘student gender secrecy laws’ January 8, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: News, World News The Thomas More Society announced Jan. 6 it would pursue a rehearing of its case against California’s laws that allow public schools to conceal how a student expresses their gender identity at school from their parents.
Dispensation in Columbus Diocese for those who fear immigration crackdown pursuit December 31, 2025By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, World News Bishop Earl K. Fernandes of Columbus, Ohio, has granted a dispensation from Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation to Catholics without authorization to stay in the United States, as well as those who “reasonably fear” being pursued in the ongoing immigration crackdown across the country.
New N.Y. archbishop ‘committed’ to immigration issues, accountability on abuse — and staying a Cubs fan December 19, 2025By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Child & Youth Protection, Feature, News, World News The newly named leader of the Archdiocese of New York, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks, introduced himself to the faithful of his new home Dec. 18 with a pledge to become familiar with its challenges and uphold human dignity.
Pope accepts resignation of Cardinal Dolan; names Bishop Hicks of Joliet, Ill., as successor December 18, 2025By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Feature, News, Vatican, World News In one of the most anticipated U.S. episcopal appointments of his pontificate so far, Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York and named as his successor Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois.
NY archdiocese to negotiate settlements in abuse claims, will raise $300 million to fund them December 10, 2025By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, World News Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan announced Dec. 8 that the Archdiocese of New York would be entering into mediation and taking steps to raise more than $300 million for sexual abuse settlements.
