Faith, flowers: Special rules keep God’s house simply beautiful March 12, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Lent, News, Vatican, World News Of the many traditions and penitential practices observed during the season of Lent, one of the more visible is the stark change in church decor and a complete absence of flowers.
U.S. peacebuilding a ‘strategic and moral imperative,’ advocates say at Notre Dame event March 11, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, War in Ukraine, World News With American peacebuilding at a “crossroads,” amid global conflict and changes in U.S. foreign policy, a Notre Dame conference March 10 in the nation’s capital examined how to meet new challenges facing international conflict resolution and fostering peace.
Catholic death penalty opponents laud commuted death sentence for inmate who didn’t pull trigger March 11, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News Gov. Kay Ivey, R-Ala., announced March 10 she commuted the death sentence of Charles L. “Sonny” Burton to life in prison, a move lauded by Catholic death penalty opponents.
Slain Lebanese priest hailed as a ‘martyr,’ commemorated by Pope Leo XIV March 11, 2026By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Lebanese Maronite Catholic priest Father Pierre al-Rahi was commemorated by Pope Leo XIV ahead of the cleric’s funeral attended by scores of faithful as well as Catholic and Lebanese government officials in his southern village of Qlayaa.
As humanitarian crisis looms in Lebanon, Mideast Christians face uncertain future March 11, 2026By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Lebanon has been gripped by panic and internal displacement crisis following Israeli evacuation orders as part of the U.S. and Israel–Iran war, with the country coming to reflect the growing pressure on Middle Eastern Christians, raising fears the conflict could force many to leave the region permanently.
Church’s unity comes from faith in Christ and from love, pope says March 11, 2026By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Catholic Church is made up of diverse people who are united by their faith in Christ and are called to welcome all of humanity, Pope Leo XIV said during his weekly general audience.
Wyoming governor signs ‘well-intended’ but ‘fragile’ heartbeat law on abortion March 11, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News Wyoming’s governor enacted what he called a “well-intended” but ultimately “fragile” ban on abortions of unborn children with a detectable heartbeat.
U.S. Maronite bishops mourn priest killed in Israeli strike on Lebanon village March 11, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Two Maronite bishops in the U.S. are calling for prayer, dialogue and solidarity after a Maronite priest was killed in Lebanon amid the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.
Chaldean bishop pleads not guilty to felony charges, as resignation announced March 11, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, World News A Chaldean Catholic bishop in California pleaded not guilty to charges of embezzlement and money laundering, as the Vatican announced Pope Leo XIV had accepted his resignation in February.
Vatican releases synod report on women’s role in Church leadership March 11, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News The Vatican has published the final report of the synod study group examining women’s participation in the Church, which calls for expanded roles for women in Church governance and leadership in roles not including ordained ministry.
Mexican Catholics protect churches amid women’s day protest vandalism March 10, 2026By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: News, World News The Mexican bishops’ conference expressed dismay with a spate of vandalism against churches in the country — including a parish church dating to the 17th century — during marches for International Women’s Day, saying, “Mexico needs justice and peace, not more violence.”
Pope Leo bestows title of ‘monsignor’ on USCCB’s general secretary March 10, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV has bestowed the title of “monsignor” on Father Michael J.K. Fuller, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, with the distinction of “Chaplain to His Holiness.”
