Pope Leo writes to 97-year-old cardinal who spent 18 years in labor camps August 3, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News At the age of 97, Cardinal Ernest Simoni, returned to the former prison camp in Albania where he used to offer Mass in secret during his 18 years of sentenced forced labor, offering a public Mass July 31 in the memory of those who suffered and died at the labor camp.
Court shields women religious from New York assisted suicide law August 3, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News A federal judge July 30 temporarily shielded four orders of women religious and Catholic healthcare ministries from enforcement of a New York state law allowing physicians to aid terminally ill adults in dying by suicide.
Pope Leo’s meeting with Patti Smith highlights rocker’s Church-adjacent artistry August 1, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The American singer-songwriter Patti Smith met with Pope Leo XIV July 31 in a private audience at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.
Trump administration rule change could push asylum applicants directly to deportation proceedings July 31, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News The Trump administration issued a new rule July 28 that could send hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers directly into deportation proceedings, a policy change that Catholic immigration advocates warned could leave many applicants at risk of deportation before their applications are even considered.
In Spain, diocese pledges emergency aid as death toll rises in enclave’s border crisis July 31, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News The Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta offered emergency resources to civil authorities July 31 as more than 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, straining local infrastructure.
Russian attack leaves 8 dead in Ukraine; suspected missile lands in Poland July 31, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, War in Ukraine, World News An overnight July 30 onslaught of Russian missiles and drones struck Ukraine, leaving eight people, including several children, dead and dozens wounded in the aftermath.
Israeli strike damages Christian-run hospital in Gaza July 31, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News The Catholic Near East Welfare Association-Pontifical Mission in Lebanon and Syria reported that an Israeli airstrike on a residential apartment directly adjacent to CNEWA-supported Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in the center of Gaza City damaged hospital facilities late July 29.
Pope Leo on his ancestry, and how he’s a ‘pope who happens to be American’ July 30, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV spoke with Tom Llamas of NBC News July 29 about being the first American pope, his diverse ancestry and whether he might be coming to the U.S. soon.
Pope Leo XIV to offer public Masses and audiences every week of August July 30, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV will celebrate a public Mass every week of August after taking time to rest in Castel Gandolfo during the month of July.
Haiti’s cardinal and U.S. bishops lead Mass of Solidarity as Haitian immigrants face losing their TPS status July 30, 2026By Mark Zimmermann OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News As an estimated 350,000 Haitian immigrants to the United States face losing their Temporary Protected Status and confront the possibility of having to move back to their country that is plagued by gang violence and political instability, Cardinal Chibly Langlois of Les Cayes, Haiti, celebrated a Mass of Solidarity on July 28 with the Haitian community and those impacted by changes to immigration policy.
Pope Leo XIV at Andrea Bocelli concert: Music’s beauty points us to God July 30, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News As dusk settled over the Pontifical Gardens of Castel Gandolfo on July 29, Pope Leo XIV listened as Andrea Bocelli led 164 young voices in a hymn, prompting the pope to offer a reflection on how beauty can lead us to God.
Jennie Bradley Lichter steps down as March for Life president July 30, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Jennie Bradley Lichter will step down as president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, she said in a July 30 statement.
