St. Francis’ relics returned to crypt after monthlong veneration draws 370,000 pilgrims March 23, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: News, Saints, World News Bells rang out over the hilltop town of Assisi on the night of March 22 as Franciscan friars closed the monthlong public veneration of the bones of St. Francis of Assisi, which drew more than 370,000 pilgrims from around the world to pray before the beloved saint.
Report shows Cardinal Wojtyla’s actions were ‘exemplary’ in abuse cases, refuting previous claims March 23, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, World News “Our research shows that Cardinal Karol Wojtyla did not transfer priests from parish to parish when he learned of their criminal activities, but he took quick action, and some of his decisions were above-standard for the time,” the March 13 report’s lead said.
U.S. bishops call on House to advance bill to investigate Indian boarding school legacy March 23, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, Racial Justice, U.S. Congress, World News Chairmen of several U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops committees wrote in a letter to key House lawmakers that they support a bill that would establish an effort to investigate and document the histories and practices of Indian boarding schools, and their long-term effects on Native American peoples.
Pope Leo XIV declares Boys Town founder Father Flanagan venerable March 23, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: News, Saints, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV declared Father Edward Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town, venerable on March 23, recognizing his heroic virtue and moving him one step closer to sainthood.
Marriage requires ‘personal encounter with Christ,’ community and witness, says cardinal March 23, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Marriage & Family Life, News, World News Marriage, like every vocation, “can only arise from a personal encounter with Christ,” with the Church offering the “precious tools” of community and witness to foster that experience, said the head of the Vatican’s key office for marriage and family life.
Pope Leo: Death and pain caused by wars a scandal for entire human family March 23, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News As the U.S. and Israel-Iran war enters its fourth week, and amid a deep humanitarian crisis throughout the region, Pope Leo XIV appealed during his Sunday Angelus prayer March 22: “Persevere in prayer, so that hostilities may cease and paths of peace may finally open up, based on sincere dialogue and respect for the dignity of every human person.”
Custody of the Holy Land: Prayer continues at Holy Sepulchre amid ‘time of trial,’ restricted access March 23, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Easter, News, World News The Church of the Holy Sepulcher remains a place of continuous prayer despite restricted access to the faithful, according to a statement released March 21 by the Custody of the Holy Land, which also said uncertainty persists over upcoming Holy Week and Easter celebrations.
Judge grants injunction for clergy ministry in Minneapolis ICE facility March 23, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, World News Clergy members will now be allowed in to give spiritual care to those being detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in the Twin Cities area.
Chávez allegations show need for Church to hold prominent Catholics to account, say abuse survivors March 23, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, Feature, News, Social Justice, World News Newly revealed sexual abuse and assault allegations against the late civil rights leader César Chávez reignite a call for the Church to “honor our stories,” a Latino clergy sex abuse survivor, who as a teenager met Chávez several times, told OSV News.
César Chávez allegations lead to canceled Masses, reassessment of his social justice legacy March 23, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, Social Justice, World News Catholic dioceses and organizations are canceling events and rethinking initiatives honoring the late civil rights icon César Chávez, following newly reported allegations the activist — who publicly drew on his Catholic faith in his work — sexually abused several women and girls.
At 10, ‘Amoris Laetitia’ still shapes landscape for marriage, family ministries March 22, 2026By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Marriage & Family Life, News, World News Released in April 2016, “Amoris Laetitia” is a lengthy papal missive on married life and love, children, extended family, education and related challenges, with special attention to integrating wounded or marginalized families into the life of the Church.
Pope’s visit to show that Christianity is asset, not danger, for Algeria, bishop says March 22, 2026By Ngala Killian Chimton OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News As Pope Leo XIV prepares to visit Algeria as the first stop of his apostolic trip to Africa April 13–23, Bishop Michel Guillaud of Constantine-Hippone told OSV News the Holy Father’s presence will demonstrate that Christianity “is an asset and not a danger” to Algeria.
