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.
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.
Faith, freedom and the founders: How Maryland Catholics helped shape a new nation July 1, 2026By Rita Buettner Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, Local News, News At the time of the American Revolution, Catholics may have comprised only 1 percent of the total population of the colonies – with the majority of them living in Maryland. Despite their small numbers, Catholics played a role in the founding of the United States of America.
‘Slow down and listen to Jesus,’ says pastor of Philly church home to first major 40 Hours in US June 30, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, News, World News As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, and with the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage set to conclude in Philadelphia, a priest in that city — whose parish was home to a major milestone in Eucharistic devotion in the U.S. — said that adoration offers a chance to “slow down and listen” to Jesus.
Bishops hold border Mass, rosary and procession for migrants as USA nears 250th June 29, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News Five Catholic bishops from the United States-Mexico border region led a day of pastoral accompaniment in Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Mexico, June 26 as the United States approaches its 250th birthday as a nation.
When the White House hosted a Catholic wedding, and then a baptism June 24, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, News, World News U.S. President Andrew Jackson had a reputation as a violent man: While still a teenager he fought the British during the American Revolution; as an adult he became a skillful Indian-fighter in the South; and he became famous as a military commander after his bloody victory over the British outside New Orleans at the end of the War of 1812.
Religious, civic leaders join Pope Leo for Liberty Medal award ceremony June 22, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, News, Religious Freedom, Vatican, World News As the U.S. marks its 250th anniversary, a number of faith and civic leaders will be on hand as Pope Leo XIV accepts — via livestream from the Vatican — a major honor for his efforts to promote religious liberty, along with freedom of expression and conscience.
250 in Charity and Truth June 22, 2026By Archbishop William E. Lori Catholic Review Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Charity in Truth, Commentary On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its 250th anniversary. This event will resonate in every corner of the land, but it has special significance for us in the Premier See, the Archdiocese of Baltimore. We are linked to this event both by history and by the virtue of patriotism.
Meet the first American bishop June 17, 2026By D.D. Emmons OSV News Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, News, World News Who is Bishop John Carroll? We may not hear much about him today, but he was the first bishop of the United States, the father of American Catholicism and a highly regarded patriot of the American Revolution. Father Carroll has been credited with influencing the words of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
How to watch the bishops consecrate the US to the Sacred Heart of Jesus June 11, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, News, World News In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. bishops are consecrating the country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus June 11 in Orlando.
