Bishops, Christian leaders call for peace, urge diplomacy as Middle East conflict escalates March 2, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News As the United States and Israel continued their campaign against Iran and the newest war continued to spread across the Middle East, bishops and Christian leaders appealed for peace before the conflict escalates any further, with the Catholic Church’s humanitarian giant Caritas saying it “unequivocally” condemns the attacks which would “destabilize” the region.
Pope Leo’s prayer to St. Francis: a call to peace in a divided world March 2, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Conflict in the Middle East, Vatican As tensions escalate following the Feb. 28 U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, we share this prayer to St. Francis of Assisi — a timeless intercessor for peace — which Pope Leo XIV shared with leaders of the Franciscan order on the beginning of the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death in January 2026.
Sorrow, shock, prayer for Catholics in Middle East as U.S. and Israel strike Iran amid negotiations March 2, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Catholics across the Middle East are reeling with shock and sorrow, and responding with prayer, amid joint strikes Israeli and U.S. forces launched on Iran Feb. 28.
In the face of the mystery of evil, Christians must be signs of hope, pope says March 2, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Life is a journey that requires trust and reliance on Jesus, who sometimes asks his disciples to leave everything behind, Pope Leo XIV said.
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.”
USCCB president: Prayer, diplomacy needed in Middle East to avert ‘tragedy of immense proportions’ March 2, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News The leader of the U.S. Catholic bishops has echoed Pope Leo XIV’s call for deescalation and dialogue in the Middle East, following the joint attacks on Iran launched Feb. 28 by the U.S. and Israel, which killed Iran’s longtime supreme leader, 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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.”
Students pledge to uphold Notre Dame’s pro-life ethos as march turns from protest to thanksgiving March 2, 2026By Catherine Odell OSV News Filed Under: Colleges, News, Respect Life, World News About 100 people gathered on the campus of the University of Notre Dame Feb. 27 for an early evening event that organizers had been calling their “March on the Dome” just the day before.
Maryland March for Life set for March 16 March 2, 2026By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Respect Life The annual Maryland March for Life is set for March 16, kicking off at St. Mary in Annapolis with a 5:30 p.m. Mass celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori in the church and a concurrent Christian prayer service in the school hall. A youth rally will precede the religious services 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Orioles pitcher Cade Povich finds home in the Catholic Church March 2, 2026By Mark Viviano Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Radio Interview, Sports Orioles pitcher Cade Povich found fulfillment in pursuit of a deeper Christian faith, a years-long quest that led to a milestone during the Orioles 2025 season. While with the team in Minneapolis to play the Minnesota Twins, Povich and his wife, Sophia, drove 30 miles to St. Patrick Church in Hudson, Wis.
The ‘whine’ list March 2, 2026By Archbishop William E. Lori Catholic Review Filed Under: Charity in Truth, Commentary, Lent First, it’s fine to give up wine for Lent but it’s better to give up whining. Lent is the perfect time to examine ourselves. Do we whine too much? Second, let’s replace whining with mutual encouragement, bonds of charity, unity and fraternity.
Do you really believe God loves you? March 1, 2026By Sister Constance Veit, L.S.P. Syndicated Columnist Filed Under: Commentary, Lent During this Lent, I pray that we will all turn to the Cross and find there the undeniable proof of God’s personal, unconditional love.
