Conflicting reports of recent kidnappings in Nigeria raise alarm for Christian advocates January 21, 2026By Ngala Killian Chimton OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News After reports spread that dozens of Christians in Nigeria have allegedly again fallen prey to kidnappers in yet another sign of persecution against Christ’s followers in Africa’s most populous nation, some police said the kidnapping did not happen.
Heads of Churches of the Holy Land call Christian Zionism a ‘damaging’ ideology January 21, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, News, World News As the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity unfolded, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of the Holy Land warned that Christian Zionism was among the “damaging ideologies” being pushed that ultimately harmed the presence and unity of Christians in the Holy Land.
In a moment of Vatican sweetness, Pope Leo receives lambs in ancient St. Agnes tradition January 21, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, Saints, Vatican, World News Adding some sweetness to the usual general audience-focused Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV was presented with two lambs Jan. 21 as part of an ancient Roman Catholic tradition marking the feast of St. Agnes of Rome.
To know God, we must welcome Jesus’ humanity, pope says January 21, 2026By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV said that God is revealed through Jesus’ humanity, not solely through a “channel of transmission of intellectual truths.” It is through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection that one can come to know God.
Remain steadfast in Christian unity efforts amid division, says ecumenical expert January 21, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, News, World News Amid division and geopolitical turmoil, an ecumenical expert is encouraging the faithful to remain steadfast as they observe the international Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 18-25.
Minnesota archbishop: ‘Comprehensive immigration reform now’ amid ‘battleground’ on the streets January 21, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, World News Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis — whose territory has become a flashpoint in the nation’s immigration policy debate — is calling for “comprehensive immigration reform now,” citing “human cost on all sides.”
Notre Dame expert: On Greenland, Catholic social teaching has something to say January 21, 2026By Catherine Odell OSV News Filed Under: Catholic Social Teaching, News, World News Michael Desch spoke with OSV News about Greenland and other U.S. foreign policy concerns in light of Pope Leo XIV’s recent address to members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Vice President JD Vance and wife expecting their 4th child January 21, 2026By Lauretta Brown OSV News Filed Under: News, World News Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, announced Jan. 20 that they are expecting a boy this summer.
Prevention, accountability needed to stop crimes against humanity, Vatican diplomat tells UN January 21, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, Vatican, World News As atrocities against civilians surge globally, the Vatican’s top diplomat to the United Nations stressed the crucial need for both prevention and accountability — and the vital roles of individual nations and the global community in those tasks.
Father Zanardini, top missionary anthropologist among Indigenous groups, dies in Paraguay at 83 January 21, 2026By Eduardo Campos Lima OSV News Filed Under: Missions, News, Obituaries, World News Salesian Father Giuseppe Zanardini, an Italian-born priest and scholar who profoundly shaped the study of Indigenous anthropology in Paraguay, died on Jan. 19 at age 83, the South American country’s Salesian congregation announced.
NY state drops case to mandate religious groups cover abortion in employee health insurance January 20, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News The state of New York has given up on trying to enforce an insurance regulation that would have forced Catholic and other religious organizations to pay for abortions.
Everyone can be a good Samaritan, pope says in message for world’s sick January 20, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News People of faith and goodwill need to take time to acknowledge the needs and suffering of those around them and be moved by love and compassion to offer others concrete help, Pope Leo XIV said.
