‘Too much at stake’: Church leaders plead for dialogue amid renewed unrest in Northern Ireland October 5, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News The primate of all Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, and his Anglican counterpart Archbishop John McDowell have called for the “urgent creation” of a “reconciling initiative” as Northern Ireland faces a crisis threatening to revive sectarian unrest in the region.
Hegseth announces ‘Office of Religious Affairs’ in speech on Pentagon policy October 5, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the creation of a new “Office of Religious Affairs” during a speech Sept. 30 on Pentagon policy.
Tennessee halts executions after death row inmate survives lethal injection attempt October 5, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News After Tennessee officials failed in their Sept. 30 attempt to execute death row inmate Christa Gail Pike for a 1995 murder, the state’s Gov. Bill Lee halted the one remaining execution for the rest of the year pending an investigation. But some Catholic opponents of the death penalty said that the incident demonstrates the flaws with capital punishment.
Hundreds of children join Pope Leo XIV in praying the rosary for peace in Vatican Gardens October 2, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV prayed the rosary with hundreds of children and their families at the Lourdes grotto in the Vatican Gardens Oct. 1 after the pope invited Catholics to pray the rosary throughout the month of October for peace in the world.
Pope Leo XIV’s October prayer intention is ‘for mental health ministry’ October 2, 2026By Francesca Merlo OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV has dedicated his October prayer intention to mental health ministry, calling on the Church to listen without judging and accompany those who suffer without excluding them.
Pakistan bishop ‘inspired’ by Blessed Fulton Sheen crossed globe for beatification October 2, 2026By Tony Gutierrez OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News While Catholics across the U.S. celebrated the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Sept. 24, his impact extends across the globe. Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad, Pakistan, came to St. Louis and Peoria to join in the ceremonies.
In France, Pope Leo emerged as the global voice for ‘right to life’ of disabled and vulnerable October 2, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News From his arrival in Paris on Sept. 25 to his encounters with the sick and disabled in Lourdes, Pope Leo made the dignity of every human life the defining theme of his first visit to the country.
Multistate lawsuit asks Supreme Court to hear challenge to abortion ‘shield laws’ October 2, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News The attorneys general of Louisiana, Alabama and Arkansas Sept. 30 announced a lawsuit challenging the abortion “shield laws” of New York, California and Massachusetts.
San Diego bishop proclaims that ‘faith must speak’ on behalf of immigrants, protect their dignity October 2, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News More than 4,000 people of faith participated in an afternoon procession around San Diego’s Balboa Park to proclaim that “All Are Sacred” on Sept. 27, the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
Bishop Barron meets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican, ordains 18 deacons in St. Peter’s Basilica October 2, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Bishop Robert E. Barron met Pope Leo XIV for a private audience at the Vatican Oct 1, describing his first extended, one-on-one conversation with a pope as covering “a lot of different topics.”
Evangelization Lab helps churches bring digital travelers to the Catholic faith October 2, 2026By Jay Sorgi OSV News Filed Under: AI, Feature, News, World News Evangelization Lab, which Dallas-based José Manuel de Urquidi founded, aims to find answers and empower parishes, dioceses and other Catholic organizations with the tools they discover.
During Respect Life Month, Catholics urged to pray, take action to stop use of abortion pill October 2, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, Ohio, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, urged the faithful to mark Respect Life Month with prayer, deeper reflection and action.
