French bishops condemn ‘unacceptable violence’ as riots sweep nation October 19, 2026By Caroline de Sury OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News France’s bishops condemned “unacceptable violence” that “gripped” the country over the Oct. 17-18 weekend, saying the scenes of rioting “plunged the country into shock, fear, and despair, raising numerous questions about the root causes of this crisis,” the bishops wrote in their Oct. 19 statement.
Priest in Ecuador, 53, struck and killed by falling crucifix during Mass October 19, 2026By David Agren OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News A priest in Ecuador was struck and killed by a falling crucifix while celebrating Mass, a tragedy captured during a livestream of the service on Oct. 17.
Pope Leo returns to Vatican window for Angelus saying prayers sustained him after cancer surgery October 19, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News One week after Pope Leo XIV first revealed to the world that he would be undergoing lung surgery, the pope returned to the window of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace Oct. 18, thanking Catholics worldwide for their prayers five days after undergoing lung cancer surgery.
Pope Leo XIV discharged from hospital early following lung cancer surgery October 19, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV was discharged from the hospital Oct. 17 after doctors deemed him fit to return to the Vatican four days after lung cancer surgery.
As pope faces cancer, biographers say it’s too early to predict changes to his papacy October 17, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Papal biographers agree that assessments of Pope Leo XIV’s future ministry remain premature following his recent lung surgery and cancer diagnosis, while praising his personal disclosure as a major, irreversible shift toward transparency regarding papal health.
Pope Leo calls Putin from hospital urging ceasefire, aid to starving Ukrainians October 16, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, War in Ukraine, World News Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin Oct. 16, calling for a ceasefire in that nation’s war on Ukraine and humanitarian aid to Ukrainian civilians starving amid a Russian blockade.
Temporary protections for Ukrainians in US set to expire, trigger deportation, archbishop says October 16, 2026By Carol Glatz OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, War in Ukraine, World News According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the temporary protected status (TPS) designation of Ukraine and related benefits were set to terminate Oct. 19. A bipartisan bill introduced in the House of Representatives Oct. 5 would extend temporary protected status for eligible Ukrainians by redesignating protections until July 1, 2029.
Church must listen to families, young people hesitant to marry, bishops say October 16, 2026By Josephine Peterson OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Bishops will go home from a weeklong meeting on marriage and family life, with a renewed commitment to listen to the realities of modern families as well as to reach young people and their hesitancy to marry.
Vatican releases first photos of Pope Leo XIV celebrating Mass at hospital October 16, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican released the first photos of Pope Leo XIV since his Oct. 13 lung surgery and cancer diagnosis, showing the pontiff celebrating Mass inside Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as he continues his recovery.
‘Great joy’ as canonization cause of Irish military chaplain Father Willie Doyle heads to Rome October 16, 2026By Ruadhan Jones OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News The cause for the canonization of the World War I Jesuit Irish chaplain Father Willie Doyle, who was killed while ministering to injured soldiers, is set to head to Rome, with the diocesan phase formally concluding on Oct. 18.
Oregon bishops offer prayers following Silver Rail school shooting October 16, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News Oregon’s Catholic bishops expressed sympathy and encouraged the community to support those affected by a shooting at a Bend, Oregon, elementary school that left five dead and two wounded.
In hospital, Pope Leo’s tests show ‘good recovery of the operated lung,’ doctors say October 15, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Doctors treating Pope Leo XIV said Oct. 15 that tests show “good recovery of the operated lung” two days after his cancer surgery.
