US bishops’ leader rebukes Trump after he threatens Iran’s ‘whole civilization will die tonight’ April 7, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News President Donald Trump threatened a “whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not make a deal by 8 p.m. EDT on April 7 — a statement that drew a stark rebuke within hours from the leader of the U.S. Catholic bishops, who invoked Pope Leo XIV’s recent appeals for peace as he called on the president “to step back from the precipice.”
Trump threatens Iran’s ‘whole civilization will die’ amid Pope Leo’s call for peace vigil April 7, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News President Donald Trump threatened a “whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not make a deal by 8 p.m. EDT on April 7. His comments come as Pope Leo XVI has urgently called for peace and set up a prayer vigil for April 11, the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday.
Pope sends Easter greetings to Catholic parish in Gaza amid fear, uncertainty of war April 7, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV sent Easter greetings to Catholics in Gaza as they celebrate Easter amid the fear and uncertainty of war, said Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of Holy Family Parish.
Trump threatens strikes on Iranian infrastructure same day Pope Leo appeals for peace April 5, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News President Donald Trump on Easter threatened major strikes on Iran’s energy and transportation infrastructure if its leaders do not cooperate with his demand to open the Strait of Hormuz.
‘The power with which Christ rose is entirely nonviolent,’ pope says in Easter peace message April 5, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter, Pope Leo XIV delivered a passionate appeal for peace, declaring that the power of the risen Christ is “entirely nonviolent” and calling on world leaders to lay down their weapons and choose dialogue over domination.
Archbishop Broglio: War in Iran likely not justified under Catholic teaching on legitimate defense April 4, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services questioned the legitimacy of America’s war in Iran, arguing that the war is likely not justified under Catholic teaching on legitimate defense by military means, sometimes called just war theory.
Pope: Don’t be paralyzed by mistrust, fear; be catalyzed by Christ to build peace April 4, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, World News God’s love is stronger than any evil, capable of “driving out hatred” and “bringing down the mighty,” Pope Leo XIV said.
Jerusalem’s Holy Week embraced with silent prayer, intimate liturgies as war continues to escalate April 3, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Holy Week in the Holy Land is unfolding in unprecedented silence, as war-related restrictions have left sacred sites largely without the faithful.
Pope Leo XIV calls Israeli, Ukrainian leaders on Good Friday, urging peace April 3, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News Pope Leo XIV spoke over the telephone with the presidents of Israel and Ukraine on Good Friday, urging diplomatic solutions and humanitarian support amid the ongoing wars in the Middle East and Europe.
In primetime address, Trump cites nuclear threat as polls show most Americans disapprove of Iran war April 2, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Amid polls showing most Americans disapprove of U.S. military action in Iran, President Donald Trump said in an April 1 address to the nation, “we are going to finish the job. And we’re going to finish it very fast.”
USCCB president asks Catholics to ‘pray ardently’ for an end to war with Iran April 2, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Catholics during Holy Week should continue to “pray ardently” for a de-escalation of violence in the Middle East, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement April 1.
Jerusalem Church leaders decry death penalty law, ‘lifeless’ holy city ahead of Easter April 1, 2026By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Church leaders in Jerusalem expressed sorrow over the news of the passage by the Israeli Knesset of a death penalty law — by hanging — for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks on Israelis, noting that Easter, which celebrates life, represents the opposite.
