Vance defends cuts to foreign aid ‘spreading atheism’ at religious freedom summit February 6, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News Vice President JD Vance defended cuts to U.S. foreign aid in remarks to the International Religious Freedom Summit Feb. 5, arguing the funds were “spreading atheism” abroad.
Polka dancing, Hershey’s Kisses and novenas for World Marriage Day February 6, 2025By Zoey Maraist OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Marriage & Family Life, News, World News The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops picked “Marriage: Source of Hope, Spring of Renewal. Pursue a Lasting Love!” as the theme for this year’s World Marriage Day, Feb. 9 and National Marriage Week, Feb. 7-14.
Warm welcome, hot tickets: Sisters help U.S. visitors see the pope February 6, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, Jubilee 2025, News, World News After requesting tickets online before beginning their journeys, the visitors pick up their tickets at the office in Rome and receive clear information on when to get to the Vatican for the audience and what to bring or not bring — metal water bottles and rolling suitcases topping the no-no list.
Congolese bishops say Goma situation remains grave; full scale of human toll still emerging February 5, 2025By Frederick Nzwili OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News As an uneasy calm returned to the Congolese city of Goma, following a unilateral ceasefire declared by the rebels, people began burying the dead, and agencies rushed aid to thousands of displaced civilians, now camping in churches and schools.
Pope Francis, Sweden’s cardinal mourn victims of deadly mass shooting February 5, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Gun Violence, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragic shooting in a Swedish school, sending “assurance of his spiritual closeness to all affected by this traumatic incident,” in which 10 students of an adult education center lost their lives.
Educators awarded for innovative, faith-filled drive to advance Catholic schools February 5, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, Schools, World News The National Catholic Educational Association, which represents some 140,000 educators serving 1.6 million students, announced the recipients of its President’s Awards and its Lifetime Commitment to Catholic Education Award.
Pope: Like Mary, respond to God’s love with action February 5, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Christians are called to follow Mary’s example by responding to God’s love with action, reaching out to others instead of withdrawing from the world, Pope Francis said.
Advocacy group launches Philippine database on abuse; cardinal reiterates need for accountability February 5, 2025By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, World News An international online database of clergy who face allegations or have been convicted of child sexual abuse launched its Philippine listing Jan. 29, drawing a sharp response from the Philippine bishops’ conference, which reiterated the need for efforts to hold the church accountable for abuse.
For Ukrainians ‘on brink of endurance,’ bishop says ‘gestures of solidarity’ bring back hope February 4, 2025By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, War in Ukraine, World News s Russia sent a barrage of rockets to Ukraine over the weekend of Feb. 1-2, a bishop living in an eastern Ukraine diocese on the front lines of war said such events make hope “rather waning” for his people.
Pope prays for church that accompanies young people in discernment February 4, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Uncategorized, Vatican, Vocations, World News The church must welcome young people and embrace their desires and doubts to bring them closer to Jesus and ultimately open them up to receiving God’s call, Pope Francis said.
Vatican summit shared concrete ways to help kids, charity leader says February 4, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, Vatican, World News Governments have a serious responsibility to care for their nation’s children, but no caring person can stand by idly when children anywhere are starving, said the founder of a private charity working in 16 of the world’s poorest countries.
Panel: Will new budget priorities and tax policies help or hurt the poor? February 4, 2025By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Catholic Social Teaching, Feature, News, Social Justice, World News With a new U.S. presidential administration and Congress in office, questions are percolating about federal budget priorities and tax policies — and the related decisions that will either help or hurt the most vulnerable citizens.
