Pope Leo XIV calls for ‘countercultural’ repentance on first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate February 18, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News Beneath the Roman pines of the Aventine Hill, Pope Leo XIV led a solemn penitential procession Feb. 18 to Rome’s oldest extant basilica, marking the first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate with a call for “countercultural” repentance for sins from individuals, institutions and the Church itself.
Bishops praise Virginia Legislature for halting assisted suicide bill February 18, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News SB359, which would have permitted doctors to prescribe lethal, self-administered drugs to terminally ill patients deemed to have less than six months to live, failed to advance in a full state senate committee hearing Feb. 5.
Diocese of Camden reaches ‘long overdue’ $180 million abuse settlement February 18, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, World News The Diocese of Camden, N.J., has announced plans to resolve more than 300 abuse claims with a $180 million settlement.
Question Corner: Why doesn’t the Church require more demanding fasting for Lent? February 18, 2026By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Lent, Question Corner A more demanding common discipline would require far more exceptions, which could make it difficult for the majority of the Church to observe them together as one spiritual family.
Death is close; Jesus and his love are closer, say clergy in Ukraine war zone February 18, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, War in Ukraine, World News Amid the ravages of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the human heart finds its home in God and in communion with others, said two Catholic clergy from Ukraine’s embattled east at an annual three-day cultural event in New York City.
Olympic ski jumping silver, bronze medals lay on altar as young athlete’s faith goes viral February 18, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Sports, World News At the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Polish ski jumper Kacper Tomasiak made history — and then went to Mass.
Remembering Angelo Gugel February 18, 2026By George Weigel Syndicated Columnist Filed Under: Commentary, The Catholic Difference He was a quiet man who sought no attention and knew he was serving a saint. May he rest in peace, reunited with his old master at the Throne of Grace.
Movie Review: ‘The Strangers – Chapter 3’ February 18, 2026By John Mulderig OSV News Filed Under: Movie & Television Reviews “I need a Xanax!” declares a victim-in-waiting in the bloodsoaked slasher flick “The Strangers – Chapter 3” (Lionsgate). Moviegoers unwise enough to patronize the film may end up echoing that sentiment.
Pope Leo XIV on Ash Wednesday: Ask the Lord for the gift of true conversion this Lent February 18, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News On Ash Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV encouraged Catholics to ask the Lord for “the gift of true conversion” at the start of the 40-day penitential season of Lent.
Georgia martyrs expected to be beatified in Savannah this Halloween February 18, 2026By Maria Wiering OSV News Filed Under: News, Saints, World News A date for the beatification of five Franciscans known as the Georgia martyrs has been set for Oct. 31, according to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints’ website. It lists Cardinal Frank Leo of Toronto as the beatification Mass’ celebrant.
‘Unborn children are dying’: Pro-life leaders challenge ICE detention of pregnant women February 18, 2026By Katie Yoder OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, Respect Life, World News Dozens of national pro-life leaders are calling for the reinstatement of federal guidance that would generally prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement from detaining pregnant women and new mothers in a letter sent to the Trump administration.
A quick guide to fasting in Lent February 18, 2026By Michael R. Heinlein OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Feature, Lent Lent begins Feb. 18 this year. During this holy and penitential season, fasting is required of adult Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59. The required days of fasting are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
