Faith, flowers: Special rules keep God’s house simply beautiful March 12, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Lent, News, Vatican, World News Of the many traditions and penitential practices observed during the season of Lent, one of the more visible is the stark change in church decor and a complete absence of flowers.
Slain Lebanese priest hailed as a ‘martyr,’ commemorated by Pope Leo XIV March 11, 2026By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Lebanese Maronite Catholic priest Father Pierre al-Rahi was commemorated by Pope Leo XIV ahead of the cleric’s funeral attended by scores of faithful as well as Catholic and Lebanese government officials in his southern village of Qlayaa.
Church’s unity comes from faith in Christ and from love, pope says March 11, 2026By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Catholic Church is made up of diverse people who are united by their faith in Christ and are called to welcome all of humanity, Pope Leo XIV said during his weekly general audience.
Vatican releases synod report on women’s role in Church leadership March 11, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News The Vatican has published the final report of the synod study group examining women’s participation in the Church, which calls for expanded roles for women in Church governance and leadership in roles not including ordained ministry.
Pope Leo bestows title of ‘monsignor’ on USCCB’s general secretary March 10, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV has bestowed the title of “monsignor” on Father Michael J.K. Fuller, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, with the distinction of “Chaplain to His Holiness.”
Pope Leo XIV accepts resignation of Iraqi Cardinal Louis Sako March 10, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Louis Sako, the Iraq-based Chaldean Catholic patriarch of Baghdad, ending his 13-year tenure leading Iraq’s largest Christian denomination, the Vatican said.
Pope Leo XIV urges Chicago students to be ‘co-workers for peace with Christ’ March 10, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News, Young Adult Ministry Pope Leo XIV sent a message to students gathered at Loyola University Chicago for a peacebuilding conference March 7, calling on them to “be co-workers for peace with Christ.”
Jesus is close by, so just open your eyes, Pope Leo tells young people March 9, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Every Catholic parish needs to show that Jesus, who promises a just, true and full life, is always near, Pope Leo XIV said.
Pope urges peace, warns about wider Middle East conflict March 9, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV called for an end to the war in Iran and warned that the conflict could drag more countries in the Middle East into instability.
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.
Pope Leo XIV names Archbishop Caccia papal ambassador to United States March 7, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV has named Archbishop Gabriele G. Caccia as the Vatican’s ambassador to the United States, selecting a seasoned diplomat to serve as a crucial liaison between Rome and the pope’s home country.
Vatican hosted its own mini Paralympics half a century before Games’ official start March 6, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Sports, Vatican, World News More than 50 years before the first Paralympic Games were held in 1960 in Rome, the Vatican had already hosted what might have been the very first international sporting and gymnastics event with athletes living with disabilities.
