Here’s a glimpse of Holy Week around the world April 2, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Easter, Lent, News, World News From solemn processions in Spain to dramatic reenactments of Christ’s passion in an El Salvadoran prison yard, Catholics around the world commemorate Holy Week with traditions molded by their history, culture and faith.
‘In this dark hour of history,’ do not shy away from your mission, pope says April 2, 2026By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics to reject comfort, power and domination and instead embrace a mission rooted in self-giving love, even when it requires risk, vulnerability and suffering.
In primetime address, Trump cites nuclear threat as polls show most Americans disapprove of Iran war April 2, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Amid polls showing most Americans disapprove of U.S. military action in Iran, President Donald Trump said in an April 1 address to the nation, “we are going to finish the job. And we’re going to finish it very fast.”
USCCB president asks Catholics to ‘pray ardently’ for an end to war with Iran April 2, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Catholics during Holy Week should continue to “pray ardently” for a de-escalation of violence in the Middle East, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement April 1.
Bishops’ pro-life chair backs longshot bill to revoke mifepristone’s FDA approval April 2, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, World News Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo, Ohio, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, offered his support to legislation that would revoke the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone for abortions. However, the bill faces long odds in Congress.
Catholic leaders warn against antisemitism in Holy Week liturgies April 2, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, News, World News In the days ahead of Holy Week, several Catholic leaders issued messages denouncing antisemitism, stressing Church teaching on the issue as the faithful solemnly commemorate Christ’s passion and death.
Supreme Court hears case on birthright citizenship executive order with Trump in attendance April 1, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, Supreme Court, World News The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments April 1 on President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship, with the president in attendance.
Jerusalem Church leaders decry death penalty law, ‘lifeless’ holy city ahead of Easter April 1, 2026By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Church leaders in Jerusalem expressed sorrow over the news of the passage by the Israeli Knesset of a death penalty law — by hanging — for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks on Israelis, noting that Easter, which celebrates life, represents the opposite.
All Catholics share in Church’s mission, not just clergy, pope says April 1, 2026By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Laypeople are not passive members but active participants in the Church’s mission, called to live and spread the Gospel in everyday life, Pope Leo XIV said.
Pope urges Catholics to pray for priests in crisis April 1, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, Vocations, World News Pope Leo XIV has called on Catholics to pray for priests who find themselves in crisis and to “support those who so often support us.”
Cultural trends and technology threaten contemplation, Cardinal Roche says April 1, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News Modern cultural influences, including technology and shifting views on identity, risk weakening human relationships and spiritual development, said Cardinal Arthur Roche, the prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
Why is St. Francis of Assisi patron of the environment? April 1, 2026By Katie Yoder OSV News Filed Under: Environment, News, Saints, World News St. Francis of Assisi was declared a saint nearly 800 years ago, just two years after his death. Not until much more recently — about 50 years ago — was the beloved 13th-century Italian friar called the patron of ecology.
