Trump backs down from threat to annihilate Iran condemned by Catholic leaders April 8, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, War in Iran, World News President Donald Trump on April 7 backed down from his threat to wipe out Iran’s “whole civilization,” citing negotiations with Pakistani mediators.
Pope Leo urges citizens to call on leaders to reject war after ‘unacceptable’ Trump Iran threat April 7, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, War in Iran, World News Pope Leo urges citizens to call on leaders to reject war after ‘unacceptable’ Trump Iran threat
US bishops’ leader rebukes Trump after he threatens Iran’s ‘whole civilization will die tonight’ April 7, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News President Donald Trump threatened a “whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not make a deal by 8 p.m. EDT on April 7 — a statement that drew a stark rebuke within hours from the leader of the U.S. Catholic bishops, who invoked Pope Leo XIV’s recent appeals for peace as he called on the president “to step back from the precipice.”
Trump threatens Iran’s ‘whole civilization will die’ amid Pope Leo’s call for peace vigil April 7, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News President Donald Trump threatened a “whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not make a deal by 8 p.m. EDT on April 7. His comments come as Pope Leo XVI has urgently called for peace and set up a prayer vigil for April 11, the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday.
Sermon on the Integrity: Artemis II mission pilot preaches Christ’s command to love on lunar flyby April 7, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News As the astronauts of NASA’s first crewed lunar flyby in half a century reached their closest approach to the moon, the team’s pilot reminded the Earth of Jesus Christ’s command to love both God and neighbor.
Pope sends Easter greetings to Catholic parish in Gaza amid fear, uncertainty of war April 7, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV sent Easter greetings to Catholics in Gaza as they celebrate Easter amid the fear and uncertainty of war, said Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of Holy Family Parish.
Trump threatens strikes on Iranian infrastructure same day Pope Leo appeals for peace April 5, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News President Donald Trump on Easter threatened major strikes on Iran’s energy and transportation infrastructure if its leaders do not cooperate with his demand to open the Strait of Hormuz.
‘The power with which Christ rose is entirely nonviolent,’ pope says in Easter peace message April 5, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter, Pope Leo XIV delivered a passionate appeal for peace, declaring that the power of the risen Christ is “entirely nonviolent” and calling on world leaders to lay down their weapons and choose dialogue over domination.
At Easter Mass, Pope Leo proclaims Resurrection conquers ‘the power of death’ April 5, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV offered Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square Sunday proclaiming that with Christ’s resurrection “death has been conquered forever” and “no longer has power over us.”
Archbishop Broglio: War in Iran likely not justified under Catholic teaching on legitimate defense April 4, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services questioned the legitimacy of America’s war in Iran, arguing that the war is likely not justified under Catholic teaching on legitimate defense by military means, sometimes called just war theory.
Pope: Don’t be paralyzed by mistrust, fear; be catalyzed by Christ to build peace April 4, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, World News God’s love is stronger than any evil, capable of “driving out hatred” and “bringing down the mighty,” Pope Leo XIV said.
At Colosseum, pope carries the cross, leading thousands in Good Friday prayer for suffering world April 4, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Inside the ancient arena of the Roman Empire that crucified Christ, Pope Leo XIV carried the cross through the darkness of night on Good Friday at Rome’s Colosseum, leading about 30,000 in prayer for the sufferings of the modern world.
