When the American pope comes for July 4 dinner, here’s what happens July 8, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV marked the United States’ 250th anniversary with a relaxed July 4 dinner at the Rome residence of U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch, offering a rare glimpse of the first U.S.-born pope in an informal setting.
US cardinal: Exorcist role should be ‘private’ after priest’s removal tied to UFO controversy July 8, 2026By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of Washington said his decision to remove a high-profile priest as an archdiocesan exorcist was driven by the public way he exercised his ministry, not by his specific beliefs about UFOs.
Catholic leaders, aid workers respond to Venezuela earthquakes July 8, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Catholic leaders and organizations in the U.S. continue to aid Venezuela as that nation recovers from two deadly earthquakes that struck seconds apart June 24.
As America marks 250 years, Ukrainian Catholic bishops offer a lesson in what freedom costs July 8, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, War in Ukraine, World News As America’s 250th anniversary was celebrated across the States and the world, with Pope Leo XIV accepting the Liberty Medal for the occasion, U.S. Ukrainian Catholic bishops asked Americans to consider the meaning of freedom through the experience of a nation still fighting to preserve it.
Catholic priest killed in Central African Republic remembered as a messenger of peace July 8, 2026By Frederick Nzwili OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News A Catholic priest working for peace and reconciliation in the Central African Republic was killed by armed men near his residence in the town of Zemio on June 29.
France’s traditionalist Catholics rally behind Pope Leo XIV after SSPX schism July 7, 2026By Caroline de Sury OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News French Catholics attached to the traditional Latin Mass but loyal to Rome are expressing deep sadness after the Society of St. Pius X consecrated four bishops without papal approval, prompting the Vatican to declare the group in schism and excommunicate six SSPX bishops.
Ezra Jin Mingri, Chinese prisoner of conscience, released to US July 7, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News Ezra Jin Mingri, founder and pastor of an underground church in China and a prisoner of conscience in that country, was released from imprisonment and reunited with his family in the U.S. shortly before Independence Day, U.S. officials said.
US condemns detention of Nicaraguan bishop as Church awaits proof of his safety July 7, 2026By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News Another Nicaraguan bishop remains missing after being apprehended by police, drawing a rebuke from the United States for the ongoing “attacks on religious freedom” in the increasingly authoritarian country.
Vatican unveils agenda for global family summit marking ‘Amoris Laetitia’ anniversary July 7, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News The Vatican has released the framework for a fall meeting with the heads of Eastern Catholic Churches and presidents of bishops’ conferences, marking the 10th anniversary of “Amoris Laetitia” and focusing on the Church’s pastoral approach to families.
Planned Parenthood to receive Medicaid funds again as defunding provision expires July 6, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News A provision of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that stopped Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid payments for a year expired July 4, allowing the nation’s largest abortion provider to regain access to hundreds of millions of dollars in Medicaid funding.
Pope Leo starts his summer break at Castel Gandolfo with cheerful welcome July 6, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News When the papal coat of arms was hung at the balcony of the papal Castel Gandolfo residence July 5, locals knew that their main summer protagonist was on the way.
Pope visits U.S. embassy July 4 for discussion on peace and freedom, with a side of apple pie July 5, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: America's 250th anniversary, Feature, News, Vatican, World News After spending the morning praying for migrants on the island of Lampedusa, Italy, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See and his family.
