EWTN News
Trusted global Catholic news, analysis, and multimedia coverage of the Church, Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican, and issues impacting Catholics worldwide.
Bishop urges global intervention against execution of 200 Ethiopian youth in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 09 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT
A bishop urges a halt to the planned execution of hundreds of Ethiopians, a Finnish parliamentarian appeals her hate speech conviction, and more in this week’s world news roundup.
Church in Colombia begins training digital missionaries to faithfully proclaim the Gospel
Sat, 09 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT
The Digital Missionaries School aims to give solid training to online missionaries and consolidate them into a network to reach the digital continent with the Gospel.
Meet the Trump surgeon general nominee who kept her baby despite an unplanned pregnancy as a teen
Sat, 09 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT
In this roundup of pro-life and abortion-related news you may have missed, the surgeon general nominee as a teen chose life; Oklahoma criminalizes the distribution of abortion drugs.
Vatican nuncio: ‘There are no unbelievers left’ in Ukraine’s war zones
Sat, 09 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT
As Russia's full-scale invasion enters its fifth year, Apostolic Nuncio Visvaldas Kulbokas tells a Lithuanian Catholic magazine that Ukraine's war zones are seeing extraordinary religious revival.
French sister ‘bringing Jesus’ light’ to Haiti’s most vulnerable children
Sat, 09 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT
In Haiti's biggest and most notorious slum, the Kizito Family has seven houses for orphaned, abandoned, and in need children and operates eight schools to provide education and catechism.
Inside the most popular happy hour among Washington, D.C., Catholics
Sat, 09 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT
The Emmaus Hour brings together young adult Catholics (and Catholic-curious!) in Washington, D.C., every month for a night of community and cocktails that benefits local charities.
Bishop Conley weighs in with ‘Just War 101’
Sat, 09 May 2026 02:05:42 GMT
"I feel a special responsibility to speak up clearly for the Church’s teaching and vision at this moment," the bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska, said.
Catholic organizations call on Congress to protect food aid, nutrition programs
Fri, 08 May 2026 21:26:00 GMT
The appeal comes as Pope Leo XIV dedicated his May prayer intention to ensuring “that everyone might have food.”
U.S. same-sex ministry group says criticism in Vatican report is ‘false and unjust’
Fri, 08 May 2026 20:56:00 GMT
Courage International said the Holy See's synodal report constituted "calumny" against the 45-year-old Church apostolate.
Oregon counselor sues after being fined $90,000 for not affirming client’s same-sex relationship
Fri, 08 May 2026 20:26:29 GMT
“The government can’t target counselors for their views and can’t force people to say things that go against their core convictions,” ADF attorney Jonathan Scruggs said.
Catholic Church leaders in Africa reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s first year
Fri, 08 May 2026 19:37:07 GMT
African bishops highlighted the pope's trip to Africa as a defining moment of his ministry as well as the pontiff's emphasis on dialogue, reconciliation, missionary outreach, justice, and peace.
Spanish bishops: ‘We cannot simply stand by and watch the ship sink’
Fri, 08 May 2026 18:18:00 GMT
In Spain, only about 8 million of the country’s 45 million inhabitants attend Mass regularly on Sundays.
PHOTOS: Pope Leo XIV visits Pompei and Naples in Italy
Fri, 08 May 2026 17:48:21 GMT
The Holy Father marked the first anniversary of his pontificate on May 8 by visiting the historic cities in southern Italy.
Leo XIV makes Marian pilgrimage on 1-year anniversary as pope
Fri, 08 May 2026 17:08:02 GMT
Pope Leo XIV traveled around 150 miles south of Rome to the Italian cities of Pompei and Naples on the first anniversary of his election.
Bransfield, ex-Wheeling-Charleston bishop accused of misconduct, dies at 82
Fri, 08 May 2026 16:29:52 GMT
An archdiocesan investigation in 2018 claimed Bishop Michael Bransfield engaged in multiple instances of sexual harassment and financial malfeasance of diocesan funds.
‘Their very existence is at stake’: Catholic organizations mobilize for Lebanon’s Christians
Fri, 08 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT
Christians in southern Lebanon have paid a heavy price in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel but have been sustained through the support of Catholic organizations and initiatives.
New release seeks to revive St. Bartolo Longo’s ‘Fifteen Saturdays’ devotion
Fri, 08 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT
Ahead of the pope's May 8 visit to Pompeii, Italy, the hometown of the saint who promoted the "Fifteen Saturdays" devotion, a new book seeks to reintroduce people to this "forgotten Marian devotion."
Pope Leo XIV’s first year: 10 powerful moments
Fri, 08 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT
On May 8, 2025, the world was introduced to Cardinal Robert Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV. One year later, we look at some of the most significant events and powerful moments of his first year as pope.
U.S. bishops recount year since Pope Leo XIV’s election
Thu, 07 May 2026 21:54:00 GMT
“I really had to do a double take, because conventional wisdom has been that there will never be a pope from the United States,” said Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski of St. Louis.
‘Families fight, but family is forever’: Pope Leo’s brother says the brothers limit political talk
Thu, 07 May 2026 21:24:00 GMT
Pope Leo's older brother John Prevost said he and his brothers limit political topics when they speak each week, but there is that "brother connection."
India’s religious liberty on ‘downward trajectory,’ commission says
Thu, 07 May 2026 20:54:00 GMT
“Religious freedom in India is abysmal," U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Vice Chair Asif Mahmood said at a hearing on Capitol Hill.
Commission sees opportunities to expand targeted sanctions on religious liberty offenders
Thu, 07 May 2026 20:24:57 GMT
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom recommended targeted sanctions against the Taliban, Iraqi militias, and government officials in Nicaragua, Nigeria, China, and Russia.
Pope Leo XIV urges Catholics to read printed books
Thu, 07 May 2026 18:31:56 GMT
The pontiff marked the centenary of the Vatican Publishing House, saying printed books remain a vital “opportunity to think” in the digital age.
‘A breath of hope’: Pope Leo XIV encourages Lebanese priests through video call
Thu, 07 May 2026 18:00:57 GMT
The pope expressed his encouragement to the priests who are working in war- torn southern Lebanon. The Holy Father said he prays for them, supports them, and gave them his blessing.
Fidelity, enthusiasm, and faith: Pope Leo XIV welcomes Swiss Guard recruits
Thu, 07 May 2026 16:21:00 GMT
Twenty-eight Swiss Guards were sworn in Wednesday at the Vatican.
Bethsaida excavation turning ‘Bible stories into Bible realities’
Thu, 07 May 2026 15:51:00 GMT
Recent excavations at the site match the account of an eighth-century Bavarian bishop who wrote about a church in Bethsaida that was built over the home of Sts. Peter and Andrew.
Pope Leo meets U.S. Secretary of State Rubio amid tensions with President Trump
Thu, 07 May 2026 15:21:15 GMT
The pontiff met with the secretary of state amid Trump's ongoing criticism of the Holy Father and the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV accepts Filipino priest’s withdrawal as bishop-designate
Thu, 07 May 2026 14:05:00 GMT
Father Gerardo F. Saco Jr. cited "human limitations" in withdrawing from the Diocese of Tagbilaran weeks before his scheduled May 26 episcopal ordination.
Lithuanian families rally to save pro-life maternity home blessed by John Paul II
Thu, 07 May 2026 13:20:46 GMT
Lithuania's only consistently pro-life maternity home — once blessed by St. John Paul II — faces closure under a government merger plan opposed by more than 12,000 petitioners.
In Syria, renaming schools fuels debate over historical, cultural, and religious identity
Thu, 07 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT
Critics warn that the efforts to rename many of Syria's schools could jeopardize the country’s identity and diversity.
Organized crime ‘rules’ in several states in Mexico, cardinal warns
Thu, 07 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT
Through violent tactics and the lucrative drug trade, Mexican cartels have made deep inroads into a number of local and state governments in the country.
Cardinal Parolin says talks with German bishops continue, calls sanctions talk premature
Wed, 06 May 2026 22:16:36 GMT
Cardinal Pietro Parolin also discussed Thursday's meeting between Pope Leo and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Trump: Rubio’s message to Pope Leo XIV should be ‘Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon’
Wed, 06 May 2026 21:06:58 GMT
The president again claimed Pope Leo XIV "seemed to be saying" Iran should be able to obtain a nuclear weapon. The Holy Father has never said this and has spoken against nuclear weapons.
Pope Leo XIV expected to visit France in late September, bishops announce
Wed, 06 May 2026 20:30:00 GMT
While the Holy See has yet to make an official announcement, the French Bishops’ Conference announced in a May 6 communiqué that Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit France in late September.
Vatican confirms official itinerary for Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Spain
Wed, 06 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT
The pontiff will meet with clergy, religious, and government officials, celebrate four public Masses, and visit social service centers and a migrant reception center.
Poll: Most Americans dislike Trump’s jabs at Pope Leo XIV, favor Leo’s call for peace
Wed, 06 May 2026 19:30:00 GMT
The poll shows that Americans have a negative view of Trump's direct criticisms of Leo at a time when the pope is generally popular and the president's approval is shrinking.
Christians must defend themselves amid rising persecution, Nigerian prelate says
Wed, 06 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT
Following the resurgence of violence in Nigeria, the judicial vicar of the Port Harcourt Diocese has called for Christians to promote peace while not ignoring the need to protect their lives.
Synod report includes testimonies from civilly ‘married’ homosexuals
Wed, 06 May 2026 18:30:00 GMT
A Vatican synod study group’s final report includes testimony from two men in civil marriages with other men and calls for a listening-based approach to difficult doctrinal and pastoral questions.
Researchers name moth species after Pope Leo XIV
Wed, 06 May 2026 16:44:53 GMT
“The pontiff is a strong advocate of climate and environmental protection, and we hope that his voice may serve as an example for humanity,” researchers wrote.
India’s state elections deliver split verdict for Christian community
Wed, 06 May 2026 14:11:36 GMT
Christian leaders welcomed the Kerala and Tamil Nadu outcomes but voiced alarm at the BJP's historic sweep of West Bengal and a third-term win in Assam.
Pope Leo XIV appoints Jesuit priest as bishop of Honolulu
Wed, 06 May 2026 12:41:59 GMT
Father Michael T. Castori, SJ, was appointed the sixth bishop of the U.S. diocese.
Psychological distress in priests: Causes, warning signs, and how to address it
Wed, 06 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT
Father Wenceslao Vial, a physician and professor, explained that psychological distress is common in society and also affects priests, and warning signs should be heeded and professional help sought.
Notre Dame Cathedral’s stained-glass dispute enters new legal phase
Wed, 06 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT
Controversy surrounding the decision to replace some of Notre Dame’s historic windows with a contemporary design has escalated to legal action and calls for peaceful protests.
Street in Brooklyn Heights renamed to honor Servant of God Dorothy Day
Wed, 06 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT
The intersection of Pineapple and Henry streets in Brooklyn Heights was renamed “Dorothy Day Way” on May 2.
Pope Leo XIV: Church serves coming of God’s kingdom in history
Wed, 06 May 2026 09:46:25 GMT
The pontiff said the Church is a pilgrim people called to proclaim Christ’s salvation while rejecting all that wounds human life.
Rubio: ‘There’s a lot to talk about’ with Pope Leo XIV
Tue, 05 May 2026 22:13:00 GMT
Secretary Rubio said he plans to discuss religious freedom and persecution of Christians in the May 7 meeting. Rubio said the meeting is unrelated to President Trump's criticisms of the Holy Father.
U.S. bishop urges Congress to ‘put children and families first’ in appropriations process
Tue, 05 May 2026 21:43:00 GMT
U.S. bishops are calling on Congress to promote policies that support women and children, defund abortion providers, and support restorative reproductive medicine.
René Henry Gracida, Corpus Christi bishop and World War II veteran, dies at 102
Tue, 05 May 2026 21:13:00 GMT
Earlier this year, in one of his last public statements, he exhorted listeners that "As long as your faith is a motivating factor in your life, guiding what you do, you're on the right track."
On his 56th birthday, new bishop in Philippines appointed by Pope Leo XIV
Tue, 05 May 2026 20:43:00 GMT
A priest for 29 years, Bishop-designate Nick Argel Vaquilar holds a licentiate in theology and a doctorate in biblical theology. He has served as a parish priest, formator, professor, and rector.
‘Prison or exile’: Priest in Nicaragua reveals how the dictatorship persecutes the Church
Tue, 05 May 2026 20:13:00 GMT
A priest in Nicaragua details conditions in the country as the Catholic Church continues to operate under intense persecution, including surveillance of clergy and restrictions on activities.