Letter of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States of America July 3, 2026By Pope Leo XIV OSV News Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, News, Vatican, World News I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Americans on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This semiquincentennial marks that defining moment in the history of the United States of America, July 4, 1776, that gave enduring voice to the ideals of liberty, equality, the pursuit of happiness, justice and democratic self-government.
After the Vatican declares SSPX in formal schism, what’s next for the Church? July 3, 2026By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Following the July 1 illicit consecration of four bishops at its seminary in Écône, Switzerland, by the now-schismatic traditionalist Society of St. Pius X — an action without papal approval that incurred automatic excommunication — that question isn’t simply one of Church politics.
Vatican declares SSPX in schism. What does it mean? July 2, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican has declared the Society of St. Pius X to be “in schism” after the traditionalist group consecrated four bishops without the papal mandate, marking the most serious rupture in the Church since Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre’s unauthorized episcopal consecrations in 1988.
Keeping a republic: a 250th birthday meditation July 2, 2026By George Weigel Syndicated Columnist Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Commentary, The Catholic Difference As we mark the national semiquincentennial on July 4, we might well reflect on Benjamin Franklin’s answer to Elizabeth Willing Powel, when the elderly sage left the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and the Philadelphia matron demanded, “Well, Dr. Franklin, what have we got, a republic, or a monarchy?”
The Carrolls of America: Young men, educated in France, influenced a new nation July 2, 2026By Christopher Gunty Catholic Review Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, Local News, News Unable to receive a Catholic education in the British colonies in North America, three young men from wealthy families were sent to Saint-Omer, France, to study at the College of the English Jesuits.
Two religious sisters from Archdiocese of Baltimore helped shape America July 2, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, Local News, News St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Venerable Mother Mary Lange were towering figures in the history of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Working in the early decades of the republic, both women recognized unmet needs in American society and responded by creating institutions that would endure long after their lifetimes.
Pope Leo overhauls Vatican finance watchdog, revises Rome vicariate reforms in busy day of decrees July 1, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV spent what is traditionally his weekly day off on Tuesday issuing a flurry of legislation and appointments June 30, overhauling the Vatican’s financial watchdog agency, revising the governing structure of the Vicariate of Rome and making several appointments in the Roman Curia.
Pope Leo to address National Eucharistic Pilgrimage during closing Mass in Philadelphia July 1, 2026By Maria Wiering OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage ends July 5 with a closing Mass, procession and celebration in Philadelphia, which will begin with a special video message from Pope Leo XIV.
Vance calls the Vatican’s views on immigration ‘troubling’ July 1, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News Vice President JD Vance said during a June 30 interview that he sees some of the Vatican’s views on immigration as “troubling.”
‘Alone’: Lessons from the wilderness July 1, 2026By Sister Hosea Rupprecht OSV News Filed Under: Commentary “Alone” sends 10 trained survivalists into the wilderness to live off the land. Armed with strict limits on their gear, the individual who lasts the longest wins a $500,000 prize. Unlike other reality shows, the participants do their own camera work.
Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on the horizon July 1, 2026By John Mulderig OSV News Filed Under: Movie & Television Reviews The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies available now for streaming or scheduled for broadcast on network or cable television during the week of July 12, as well as notes on TV programming for the same week.
Archdiocese of Baltimore responds to growing immigration enforcement July 1, 2026By James Haupt Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Hispanic Ministry, Immigration and Migration, Local News, News With the rise of more rigorous federal immigration enforcement in the city, the Archdiocese of Baltimore is encountering immigrant parishioners across all its parishes facing precarious situations.
