Bronze sculpture in St. Peter’s Square offers message of hospitality April 16, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News A new bronze sculpture installed in St. Peter’s Square, near the showers and medical clinic the Vatican runs for people in need, invites visitors to reflect on the sacredness of welcoming others, especially the marginalized.
God always waits, goes looking for those who are lost, pope says April 16, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News The Gospel contains a great message of hope, “because it tells us that wherever we are lost and however we are lost, God always comes looking for us!” said the text for Pope Francis’ weekly general audience.
Ahead of Holy Thursday, Irish priest forgives radicalized teenager who stabbed him April 16, 2025By Sarah Mac Donald OSV News Filed Under: Lent, News, World News In a powerful courtroom moment just before Holy Week, Irish Army chaplain Father Paul Murphy forgave the radicalized teenager who tried to kill him in a 2024 knife attack.
El Salvador president says he won’t return erroneously deported, imprisoned man to U.S. April 15, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News Trump administration officials and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele on April 14 dismissed arguments that an erroneously deported Maryland man should be returned to the United States from a prison where he is being held in El Salvador.
After U.S. aid cuts, Middle East Caritas forced to reorganize but remains hopeful April 15, 2025By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: DOGE cuts, News, World News A prominent Catholic humanitarian agency in the Middle East has expressed concern over sudden cuts to U.S. financial assistance affecting its ministries aiding the displaced, refugees and the impoverished.
Pope orders renewal of academy that trains nuncios April 15, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis has raised the status of the Vatican’s diplomatic academy to an institute of higher learning that will issue academic degrees while also strengthening its focus on evangelization.
Peru-based Catholic movement formally suppressed by the Vatican April 15, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis has ordered the suppression of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Peru-based lay movement active across Latin America and the United States, and three related lay movements following decades of abuse allegations and internal investigations.
Despite improved health, pope picks cardinals to lead Holy Week liturgies April 15, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis is going without supplemental oxygen for longer periods and is continuing therapy to recover his voice and to recover his physical strength, the Vatican press office said, but he also is increasing the number of private meetings he is holding with the heads of Vatican offices.
Catholic leaders, public officials condemn violence after attack on governor’s residence April 14, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Catholic leaders and public officials condemned violence and called for peace after an alleged arson attack on the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Vatican updates norms on donations for special Mass intentions April 14, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News, Worship & Sacraments Catholic faithful do not “buy” Masses, but when a priest accepts an offering and promises to celebrate a Mass for that person’s loved one or other special intention he must do so, the Vatican said.
Nicaragua cracks down further on church during Holy Week April 14, 2025By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, Religious Freedom, World News Police and paramilitaries maintained a heavy presence outside the Nicaraguan Managua cathedral on Palm Sunday, ensuring celebrations occurred entirely on church property — and sending a not-so-subtle message of intimidation.
4,000 process in Jerusalem for Palm Sunday amid Israeli bombardment of Gaza April 14, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News For the second year in a row, few foreign pilgrims were in attendance at the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives into the Old City of Jerusalem due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. But even the gray skies that threatened rain didn’t dampen the spirit of the 4,000 participants.
