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.
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.
Key pro-life group warns lack of action on Hyde, mifepristone may ‘demotivate’ Republican voters February 20, 2026By Kate Scanlon Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News A key national pro-life group released polling Feb. 19 it said shows a potential failure by the Trump administration to act on pro-life policy priorities may demotivate Republican primary voters in the upcoming midterm elections.
Lawmakers, attorneys general back abortion pill challenge DOJ wants to pause February 20, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News Twenty-one state attorneys general and 60 members of Congress were among the Republicans who filed amicus briefs in support of Louisiana’s efforts to roll back the Biden administration’s eased restrictions on mifepristone, a drug commonly, but not exclusively, used for most first trimester abortions.
SSPX rejects Vatican dialogue, plans to consecrate bishops without papal mandate February 19, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, Vatican, World News The Society of St. Pius X has rejected a Vatican offer of dialogue and said it will move forward with plans to ordain bishops without a papal mandate this summer.
Pastoral care is finally allowed inside Chicago-area ICE facility — on Ash Wednesday February 19, 2026By Simone Orendain OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, Lent, News, World News After months of trying, religious and clergy were finally able to enter the processing center for migrants without papers on the outskirts of Chicago on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18. They gave Communion and distributed ashes to those inside.
Experts dispute White House claims mass deportations improve Americans’ lives February 19, 2026By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, World News Numerous American bishops have collectively and individually stated their concerns regarding the nature of immigration enforcement taking place and mass deportation.
From Pompeii to Pavia: Pope Leo XIV to make 6 pastoral visits throughout Italy February 19, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV will travel to six destinations across Italy this year, the Vatican announced on Feb. 19, journeying from the shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii in the south to the tomb of St. Augustine in northern Italy.
Young man doing community service shot dead while painting chapel in Puebla, Mexico February 19, 2026By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Gun Violence, News, World News A young man painting a chapel in Puebla was killed when gunmen shot at a work crew involved in community service in what was the second recent act of violence targeting churches in one of Mexico’s largest and most traditionally Catholic cities.
Pope to Legionaries of Christ: Authority in religious life is not ‘domination’ February 19, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV reminded members of the Legionaries of Christ that exercising governance and authority is meant as a service and not as a means to control others.
U.S. Church faces these areas of ‘critical concern’ on religious liberty, says bishops’ report February 19, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Feature, News, Religious Freedom, World News The USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty issued Feb. 17 its “Annual Report on the State of Religious Liberty,” which highlights the legislative actions, executive actions, and U.S. Supreme Court cases the U.S. bishops are closely watching.
Rev. Jesse Jackson dies at 84; Catholic leaders praise civil rights leader’s work for justice February 19, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: News, Obituaries, World News Catholic leaders were among those who praised the legacy of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a Baptist minister and prominent civil rights leader, who died Feb. 17. He was 84.
