St. Francis’ relics open to public for first extended veneration in 800 years February 23, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News For the first time in eight centuries, the mortal remains of St. Francis of Assisi are being exposed for an extended period of public veneration, drawing hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from around the world to pray before “the Little Poor Man of Assisi.”
Pope Leo XIV tells priests not to use AI to write homilies or seek likes on TikTok February 23, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, social media, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV has urged priests to not to use artificial intelligence to write their homilies or to seek “likes” on social media platforms like TikTok.
God offers new possibilities, not prohibitions, with his invitation to love, pope says February 23, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News While Satan tempts humanity with the lie of gaining unlimited power, God offers the gift of true freedom that leads to real love, relationships and fulfillment, Pope Leo XIV said.
New Stations of the Cross unveiled at St. Peter’s Basilica for Lent 2026 February 23, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Lent, News, Vatican, World News St. Peter’s Basilica inaugurated a new Stations of the Cross Feb. 20, with paintings by a young Swiss artist who won the Vatican’s international art competition and said in an interview with OSV News that he was deeply moved by the experience of painting St. Veronica’s encounter with Christ.
Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariffs, but relief for poorer Americans uncertain February 23, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Social Justice, Supreme Court, World News The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff policy Feb. 20, finding it exceeded his authority, marking a major setback for his economic agenda.
The Olympics and why Catholic Church cares about sports February 23, 2026By Maria Wiering OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Sports, World News Pope Pius’ recognition of the good of physical play foreshadowed formal efforts now established in the Vatican to support athletics as a means of virtue and human excellence, on all levels — from neighborhood kickball to the Olympics, including this year’s Milan-Cortina Winter Games, whose closing ceremony was held Feb. 22.
Slavery display removal by feds ‘robs us’ of history, racial healing, say Black Catholic leaders February 23, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Black Catholic Ministry, News, Racial Justice, World News The Trump administration’s effort to remove a slavery exhibit at a national historic site in Philadelphia distorts history, while eroding racial justice and healing, several Black Catholic leaders told OSV News.
Three young sisters launch ‘Grace Keys’ musical ministry with Lenten program February 22, 2026By Dianne Towalski The Central Minnesota Catholic Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Lent, News, World News When we share God’s grace through music, we turn hearts and eyes toward him. That’s the vision behind “Grace Keys,” a new musical ministry founded by three young sisters, with the help of their mom.
For its 400th anniversary, St. Peter’s Basilica to get 21st-century upgrade, Vatican announces February 22, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News Four hundred years after its consecration, St. Peter’s Basilica is getting a 21st-century upgrade, with the Vatican unveiling plans for AI-powered translation services, expanded pilgrim access and high-tech structural monitoring as part of yearlong anniversary celebrations.
Artist prays daily for Pope Leo XIV after painting his portrait for U.S. seminary in Rome February 21, 2026By Rebecca Omastiak The Catholic Spirit Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News So began the first steps on the artistic road that led Moran, 62, a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace in Edina, to complete an oil painting of Pope Leo for the refectory of the Pontifical North American College, the major seminary for American seminarians studying in Rome.
What can the Year of St. Francis do for the world? A lot, say these Franciscans February 21, 2026By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News After Pope Leo XIV proclaimed the Jubilee Year of St. Francis from Jan. 10, 2026, to Jan. 10, 2027, the Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary also issued a decree granting a plenary indulgence to mark the 800th anniversary year of the popular saint’s death.
As France holds day of prayer for people at the end of life, world’s euthanasia numbers soar February 20, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News As Catholics in France prepare for a nationwide prayer and fasting initiative Feb. 20 in anticipation of the final vote on a bill that “leads our country down the path of euthanasia and assisted suicide” and to “ask the Lord to enlighten consciences on the gravity of the challenges posed by this proposed law” — numbers of euthanasia procedures spike around the world.
