Pope Leo XIV, like Pope Francis before him, consistently has called on Hamas to release the hostages it kidnapped in Israel almost two years ago and has pleaded with Israel to allow the delivery of more humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Catholic Church must renew its commitment to nonviolence, disarmament and lasting peace, said U.S. prelates attending commemoration events in Japan.

On a national scale, Father Boxie expressed concern about the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate what are known as DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives in America through executive orders.

Ahead of his third “Pilgrimage of Peace” to Japan to mark the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, Archbishop John C. Wester spoke with OSV News about the current state of nuclear risk, and efforts to disarm the world of nuclear weapons.

Staff of a charity serving Haiti are pleading for the return of a kidnapped Irish lay missionary and her companions — including a 3-year-old child — taken by armed gunmen who stormed an orphanage in Port-au-Prince, amid the Caribbean nation’s long-running armed gang violence and political instability.

The Knights of Columbus opened their 143rd Supreme Convention Aug. 5 in Washington, D.C., with a call to charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, as Supreme Knight Patrick E. Kelly urged members to be “heralds of hope” in a world searching for meaning.

The fraternity fostered by the Knights of Columbus “contributes to our unity” and helps Knights grow in holiness and build up the Body of Christ, members of that Catholic fraternal organization were told at an Aug. 5, 2025 Mass to open their annual convention.

While enjoying a summer break from school or work, Catholics should not neglect “the Lord’s invitation to prepare our hearts by actively participating in the Eucharistic sacrifice and by doing generous acts of charity,” Pope Leo XIV said.

Pope Leo XIV commended the Knights of Columbus for uniting Catholic men in prayer and fraternity, while extending “generous service to vulnerable populations,” as the fraternal organization holds its 143rd Supreme Convention in Washington.

Archbishop Wenski argued that the border is now secure, and for the sake of the common good, Congress and President Donald Trump should pursue immigration reform and turn aside from a course of mass detention and deportation that violates human dignity.