Visitor breath, sweat and climate change prompt work on Sistine Chapel masterpiece March 8, 2026By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News hen millions of visitors flock to the Sistine Chapel each year, their seemingly invisible breath and sweat are slowly leaving a mark on this Renaissance masterpiece, according to Vatican Museums officials.
Historian reflects on Michelangelo’s ‘Last Judgement’ with Sistine Chapel restoration underway March 6, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican Museums announced that restoration work has begun on Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgement” in the Sistine Chapel, a fresco an art historian describes as “a clarion call to the cardinals of what it means to be Catholic.”
For its 400th anniversary, St. Peter’s Basilica to get 21st-century upgrade, Vatican announces February 22, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News Four hundred years after its consecration, St. Peter’s Basilica is getting a 21st-century upgrade, with the Vatican unveiling plans for AI-powered translation services, expanded pilgrim access and high-tech structural monitoring as part of yearlong anniversary celebrations.
Three young sisters launch ‘Grace Keys’ musical ministry with Lenten program February 22, 2026By Dianne Towalski The Central Minnesota Catholic Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Lent, News, World News When we share God’s grace through music, we turn hearts and eyes toward him. That’s the vision behind “Grace Keys,” a new musical ministry founded by three young sisters, with the help of their mom.
Artist prays daily for Pope Leo XIV after painting his portrait for U.S. seminary in Rome February 21, 2026By Rebecca Omastiak The Catholic Spirit Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News So began the first steps on the artistic road that led Moran, 62, a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace in Edina, to complete an oil painting of Pope Leo for the refectory of the Pontifical North American College, the major seminary for American seminarians studying in Rome.
The bishop meets ‘the Boss’: New Jersey bishop has impromptu lunch with Bruce Springsteen February 12, 2026By OSV News Trenton Monitor Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News New Jersey-based rock legend Bruce Springsteen and Bishop David M. O’Connell of Trenton got together recently for an impromptu lunch in Federici’s Restaurant in Freehold.
New musical on life of St. Bernadette, Lourdes visionary, begins U.S. tour in Chicago February 7, 2026By Katie Yoder OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Saints, World News Following a successful tour in Europe, a newly developed English version of a French musical about Bernadette Soubirous will open in Chicago Feb. 19 before touring nationwide.
Historic restoration to begin at Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity Grotto After 600 years February 7, 2026By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News Restoration is set to begin at the grotto of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem for the first time in 600 years.
Meloni-look-alike angel removed from Rome church after brief viral moment February 5, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News A Roman church briefly became a viral sensation after an angel’s face appeared to resemble Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, then just as quickly lost its star attraction.
Exploring Catherine O’Hara’s Catholic roots February 4, 2026By Kurt Jensen OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Movie & Television Reviews, Obituaries Catholic faith was not part of comedian Catherine O’Hara’s public-facing work and personality.
America’s first basilica marks a century February 4, 2026By Susan Klemond The Catholic Spirit Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News At a Feb. 1 Mass honoring the Basilica of St. Mary’s centennial, local Church leaders spoke about its architectural and liturgical beauty, but even more so about the church’s “living stones” who weren’t present in 1926: its parishioners.
Meloni look-alike angel sparks investigation at historic Roman church February 3, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News If anything can electrify Italians on a Saturday, it’s certainly a combination of politics and scandal. This time, angels were involved as Romans rushed to the church of San Lorenzo in Lucina, in the proximity of the tourist-bustling Spanish Steps and Via del Corso, to see an angel in a freshly restored chapel with a face identical to that of Giorgia Meloni, Italian prime minister.
