45 years on, attempted assassination of St. John Paul II recalled as turning point in history May 13, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Before he started his general audience, Pope Leo XIV stepped out of his popemobile on May 13 and walked over to pray beside a plaque marking the spot where history took a turn that shocked the world 45 years before.
Pope Leo XIV names former missionary in Cuba as new bishop of Venice, Florida May 13, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Emilio Biosca Agüero, a Capuchin Franciscan missionary who served in Cuba and Papua New Guinea, as the new bishop of Venice, Florida.
Religious freedom watchdog urges Trump to fill key ambassador vacancy May 13, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom on May 12 reiterated its recommendation that President Donald Trump “swiftly” make a nomination to fill a key ambassador position to promote and protect religious freedom abroad.
Makary out as FDA commissioner after tumultuous tenure, pro-life criticism May 12, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News President Donald Trump on May 12 confirmed that Marty Makary, the embattled FDA commissioner criticized by pro-life advocates and others, will depart from his post.
As Planned Parenthood defunding nears expiration, USCCB pro-life chair backs bill to block funds May 12, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News Ahead of the July 4 expiration of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act provision that eliminated Medicaid funds to health providers who also perform abortions, the U.S. bishops’ pro-life chairman expressed support for legislation that would block federal Title X family-planning grants and funds from going to those entities.
Israeli soldiers punished after desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon May 12, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News An Israeli soldier has been sentenced to 21 days of military detention for placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, while another soldier who photographed the act received a 14-day sentence, the Israeli army said May 11.
First-ever pilgrimage celebrates Pope Leo with Mass, visits to papal boyhood landmarks May 12, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News On the first anniversary of Pope Leo XIV’s election, a group promoting the Catholic faith in Chicago’s south suburbs led an inaugural pilgrimage to his boyhood home and the church he attended as a boy.
Can intelligent extraterrestrial life exist? Here’s what Catholic thinkers have to say May 12, 2026By Maria Wiering OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News If rational, extraterrestrial beings exist, what would be God’s relationship to them?
Vatican continues dialogue with German bishops regarding blessing for same-sex couples, cardinal says May 11, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Dialogue between the Vatican and German bishops regarding the blessing of same-sex unions is ongoing, and it was too soon to talk about sanctions, said the Vatican secretary of state.
Trump says he plans to raise Jimmy Lai imprisonment during China visit May 11, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News President Donald Trump said May 11 he plans to discuss the imprisonment of Jimmy Lai during his upcoming visit to China; however, he suggested the prominent Catholic and pro-democracy campaigner “caused a lot of bedlam.”
Bishop Bransfield, whose scandal rocked West Virginia diocese, dead at 82 May 11, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Obituaries, World News Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, who retired in 2018 as head of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston amid multiple allegations of grave sexual and financial misconduct, died May 7 at age 82.
Pope Leo thanks Canary Islands as hantavirus-stricken ship arrives in Tenerife May 11, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV thanked the people of Spain’s Canary Islands after passengers exposed to hantavirus aboard a cruise ship were allowed to disembark on the island of Tenerife.
