At Curia retreat, Bishop Varden warns of Gospel’s use ‘as a weapon in culture wars’ February 23, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Lent, News, Vatican, World News The Lenten season is a reminder that Christians are called to bear witness to Christ through authentic witness, not self-righteous indignation, Norwegian Trappist Bishop Erik Varden told the pope and Vatican officials.
Pope renews ‘heartfelt appeal’ for ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Russia-Ukraine war February 23, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News Pope Leo XIV has renewed his “heartfelt appeal” for an “immediate ceasefire” in Russia’s war against Ukraine and again urged dialogue “be strengthened to pave the way toward peace.”
Pope Leo XIV tells priests not to use AI to write homilies or seek likes on TikTok February 23, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: AI, Feature, News, social media, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV has urged priests to not to use artificial intelligence to write their homilies or to seek “likes” on social media platforms like TikTok.
God offers new possibilities, not prohibitions, with his invitation to love, pope says February 23, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News While Satan tempts humanity with the lie of gaining unlimited power, God offers the gift of true freedom that leads to real love, relationships and fulfillment, Pope Leo XIV said.
New Stations of the Cross unveiled at St. Peter’s Basilica for Lent 2026 February 23, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Lent, News, Vatican, World News St. Peter’s Basilica inaugurated a new Stations of the Cross Feb. 20, with paintings by a young Swiss artist who won the Vatican’s international art competition and said in an interview with OSV News that he was deeply moved by the experience of painting St. Veronica’s encounter with Christ.
For its 400th anniversary, St. Peter’s Basilica to get 21st-century upgrade, Vatican announces February 22, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News Four hundred years after its consecration, St. Peter’s Basilica is getting a 21st-century upgrade, with the Vatican unveiling plans for AI-powered translation services, expanded pilgrim access and high-tech structural monitoring as part of yearlong anniversary celebrations.
Artist prays daily for Pope Leo XIV after painting his portrait for U.S. seminary in Rome February 21, 2026By Rebecca Omastiak The Catholic Spirit Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News So began the first steps on the artistic road that led Moran, 62, a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace in Edina, to complete an oil painting of Pope Leo for the refectory of the Pontifical North American College, the major seminary for American seminarians studying in Rome.
SSPX rejects Vatican dialogue, plans to consecrate bishops without papal mandate February 19, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, Vatican, World News The Society of St. Pius X has rejected a Vatican offer of dialogue and said it will move forward with plans to ordain bishops without a papal mandate this summer.
From Pompeii to Pavia: Pope Leo XIV to make 6 pastoral visits throughout Italy February 19, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV will travel to six destinations across Italy this year, the Vatican announced on Feb. 19, journeying from the shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii in the south to the tomb of St. Augustine in northern Italy.
Pope to Legionaries of Christ: Authority in religious life is not ‘domination’ February 19, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV reminded members of the Legionaries of Christ that exercising governance and authority is meant as a service and not as a means to control others.
Holy See will not join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza, Cardinal Parolin says February 18, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Holy See “will not participate” in President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” for Gaza, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, said Feb. 17, citing “points that leave us somewhat perplexed.”
Pope Leo XIV calls for ‘countercultural’ repentance on first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate February 18, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News Beneath the Roman pines of the Aventine Hill, Pope Leo XIV led a solemn penitential procession Feb. 18 to Rome’s oldest extant basilica, marking the first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate with a call for “countercultural” repentance for sins from individuals, institutions and the Church itself.
