Father Blaine Burkey’s new book aims to get history right July 24, 2026By Katie V. Jones Catholic Review Filed Under: Books, Feature, Local News, News, Western Vicariate Now 90, the Cumberland native has self-published “The Cumberland Mission,” a 316-page archival study of the Catholic Church’s efforts to minister to Catholics in Western Maryland during the region’s frontier period from 1778 to 1853. Father Burkey said he began writing the book about 20 years ago, drawing on archival research he had accumulated over decades.
Venezuelan bishops urge faithful to reject superstitious view of earthquakes July 23, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News The bishops of Venezuela called on the faithful to reject the superstitious notion that the twin earthquakes that struck the country were a divine punishment.
Violent extremist’s sentencing a call to protect kids online, says Catholic legal scholar July 23, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News The recent sentencing of a convicted online child predator to a 40-year prison term and renewed safety warnings from federal officials mark a call for parents to double down on protecting their kids in the digital sphere, a Catholic legal scholar told OSV News.
Pope Leo takes road trip to mountainside shrines during his summer vacation July 23, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV took a road trip pilgrimage with his older brother to the scenic mountainside Sanctuary of the Most Holy Trinity in Vallepietra July 22 before stopping to pray in the Holy Cave in Subiaco, where a young St. Benedict sought refuge from the corruption of Rome in the early sixth century.
Pope Leo quotes Bob Dylan song in book foreword calling for nuclear disarmament July 22, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Books, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV said the conscience of just one person can “be worth the entire world” when it comes to preventing a nuclear catastrophe, in a new book foreword that also quotes an unpublished Bob Dylan song about the atomic bomb.
Ann Teresa O’Neill, whose confirmed miracle led to the canonization of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, dies at 78 July 22, 2026By Katie V. Jones Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Obituaries O’Neill, a 78-year-old Easton resident, died in the early hours of July 17 surrounded by her family. She had suffered a stroke a few days prior and was making progress before her health declined again.
Florida Catholic bishops urge DeSantis to stay two executions set for July 28 July 22, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops on July 21 urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay two executions scheduled for July 28.
CRS receives State Department funds to ‘significantly expand’ humanitarian aid to Cuba July 22, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Catholic Relief Services is welcoming federal support that will help “significantly expand” humanitarian aid to Cuba, as the Caribbean nation battles multiple crises.
Pope Leo XIV makes surprise visit to pray for peace at the tomb of St. Benedict July 21, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV made a surprise visit to the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino July 20, where he prayed for peace at the tomb of St. Benedict.
Ukraine remains hopeful for a papal visit, ambassador says July 21, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his government’s representative to the Holy See are hopeful that Pope Leo XIV will visit Ukraine despite no firm indication from the Vatican that a visit is in the works.
Attacks on human dignity can never be normalized, say 2 US bishops after deadly ICE shootings July 21, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News Two U.S. Catholic bishops are lamenting recent deadly immigration enforcement encounters, calling for God-given human dignity to be respected in every individual.
Lebanon’s cardinal urges prayer, guidance as its president visits the White House July 21, 2026By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Lebanon’s Cardinal Bechara Rai, the patriarch of the country’s Maronite Catholic Church, has urged for prayer and guidance as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun makes a critical visit to the White House July 21 to present President Donald Trump with a plan on how to disarm the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group and secure Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon.
