As drought strikes hard, Church leaders in Eastern Africa call for Lenten prayers February 19, 2026By Fredrick Nzwili OSV News Filed Under: Disaster Relief, News, World News As Lent begins, Catholic leaders across Eastern Africa are urging prayers — and action — for millions facing a deepening drought crisis.
Shevchuk: Ash Wednesday collection has helped ‘resurrect’ Church in Ukraine February 19, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, War in Ukraine, World News Ahead of the USCCB collection — typically held on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 18) in most dioceses, and which can be supported online anytime at igivecatholic.org/story/USCCB-CCEE — OSV News spoke with Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, father and head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, to discuss the impact of the USCCB’s appeal in Ukraine.
Rhode Island’s Catholic community reeling after deadly shooting during high school hockey game February 19, 2026By Rick Snizek OSV News Filed Under: Gun Violence, News, World News A deadly shooting erupted during a boys hockey game in Rhode Island, involving a co-op with a number of players reported to be from an area Catholic school, and may have been motivated by what law enforcement characterized as a “family dispute.”
Holy See will not join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza, Cardinal Parolin says February 18, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Holy See “will not participate” in President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” for Gaza, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, said Feb. 17, citing “points that leave us somewhat perplexed.”
Pope Leo XIV calls for ‘countercultural’ repentance on first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate February 18, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News Beneath the Roman pines of the Aventine Hill, Pope Leo XIV led a solemn penitential procession Feb. 18 to Rome’s oldest extant basilica, marking the first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate with a call for “countercultural” repentance for sins from individuals, institutions and the Church itself.
Bishops praise Virginia Legislature for halting assisted suicide bill February 18, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News SB359, which would have permitted doctors to prescribe lethal, self-administered drugs to terminally ill patients deemed to have less than six months to live, failed to advance in a full state senate committee hearing Feb. 5.
Diocese of Camden reaches ‘long overdue’ $180 million abuse settlement February 18, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Child & Youth Protection, News, World News The Diocese of Camden, N.J., has announced plans to resolve more than 300 abuse claims with a $180 million settlement.
Death is close; Jesus and his love are closer, say clergy in Ukraine war zone February 18, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: News, War in Ukraine, World News Amid the ravages of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the human heart finds its home in God and in communion with others, said two Catholic clergy from Ukraine’s embattled east at an annual three-day cultural event in New York City.
Olympic ski jumping silver, bronze medals lay on altar as young athlete’s faith goes viral February 18, 2026By Katarzyna Szalajko OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Sports, World News At the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, Polish ski jumper Kacper Tomasiak made history — and then went to Mass.
Pope Leo XIV on Ash Wednesday: Ask the Lord for the gift of true conversion this Lent February 18, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News On Ash Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV encouraged Catholics to ask the Lord for “the gift of true conversion” at the start of the 40-day penitential season of Lent.
Georgia martyrs expected to be beatified in Savannah this Halloween February 18, 2026By Maria Wiering OSV News Filed Under: News, Saints, World News A date for the beatification of five Franciscans known as the Georgia martyrs has been set for Oct. 31, according to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints’ website. It lists Cardinal Frank Leo of Toronto as the beatification Mass’ celebrant.
‘Unborn children are dying’: Pro-life leaders challenge ICE detention of pregnant women February 18, 2026By Katie Yoder OSV News Filed Under: Immigration and Migration, News, Respect Life, World News Dozens of national pro-life leaders are calling for the reinstatement of federal guidance that would generally prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement from detaining pregnant women and new mothers in a letter sent to the Trump administration.
