EWTN News
Trusted global Catholic news, analysis, and multimedia coverage of the Church, Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican, and issues impacting Catholics worldwide.
U.S. State Department renews $100M Cuba aid offer for Church-led distribution
Thu, 14 May 2026 20:27:00 GMT
Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami said the U.S. aid offer would require the Cuban government to undergo regime change but “the government doesn't seem to be willing to do that yet.”
Catholic film star becomes first Christian chief minister of major Indian state
Thu, 14 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT
Church leaders in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu call the election of actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay a source of pride in a country where Christians face growing persecution.
German Catholic congress approves bondage group's booth
Thu, 14 May 2026 15:57:53 GMT
Organizers of the Würzburg congress told EWTN News the group's guidelines contain 'no contradiction with the Catechism.'
Pope Leo XIV warns students against the ‘great lie’ fueling youth anxiety
Thu, 14 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT
At Europe’s largest university, the pontiff denounced a culture that reduces people to numbers.
Pew report details how Americans feel about religion’s influence on government and public life
Thu, 14 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT
According to Pew's research, 65% of Catholics reported they have a positive view of religion, 12% have a negative view, and 22% have a neutral or unclear view.
How Christ’s ascension takes the training wheels off our faith
Thu, 14 May 2026 12:23:35 GMT
The celebration of the Ascension is an annual opportunity for us to focus on the implications Jesus’ return to the Father means for each of his followers.
8 interesting things to know about Mildred Martínez, Pope Leo XIV’s mother
Thu, 14 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT
The Holy Father's well-educated mom was a devout Catholic, librarian, and accomplished singer of sacred music. The home life she created helped inspire her son's vocation.
Inquest finds priest and 4 Catholic civilians shot by British troops ‘unlawfully killed’
Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT
Father Noel Fitzpatrick was shot and killed along with four others including three youth in Belfast on July 9, 1972.
Head of French charity warns of existential challenges facing Eastern Christians
Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT
L’Œuvre d’Orient marks 170 years with an appeal for solidarity with Christians in the East and highlights three major challenges threatening the future of Christians there.
U.S. Embassy debunks claim Vatican honored Iran with top diplomatic award
Wed, 13 May 2026 22:38:00 GMT
“Contrary to news reports, Pope Leo has not bestowed an exclusive special honor on the Iranian ambassador to the Holy See,” the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See said.
FDA Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas promises pro-life agenda, calls advocates
Wed, 13 May 2026 22:18:00 GMT
Diamantas was elevated after Commissioner Marty Makary resigned.
Legislation would ensure parents can arrange burial or cremation after pregnancy loss
Wed, 13 May 2026 21:58:00 GMT
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, who practiced as an obstetrician-gynecologist for more than 25 years, said he is naming the bill the “Bereaved Parents Rights Act.”
Thousands of pilgrims gather at Fátima to commemorate the apparitions of Our Lady
Wed, 13 May 2026 21:28:23 GMT
In his homily, the patriarch of Lisbon, Portugal, said the devotion must transform lives.
Mental health crisis in Europe: Church calls for strengthening families and spiritual support
Wed, 13 May 2026 20:51:53 GMT
A new study emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive vision of mental health care that treats the whole person and includes spiritual support as well as medical and clinical.
Pope Leo XIV appoints Capuchin priest and former missionary to lead Florida diocese
Wed, 13 May 2026 19:52:31 GMT
The pope also accepted Wednesday the resignation of Bishop Frank J. Dewane, 76, who led the Diocese of Venice, Florida, since 2007.
From seminarian in Nicaragua to priest in Miami: ‘I carry my people and my homeland in my heart’
Wed, 13 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT
The Ortega regime’s repression of the Catholic Church could not silence God's call to Cristhian Mendieta. Having fled Nicaragua as a seminarian, the young man was ordained to the priesthood in Miami.
U.S. government moves to seize land from New Mexico diocese to build border wall
Wed, 13 May 2026 15:30:00 GMT
The Diocese of Las Cruces has been named in a civil action seeking an eminent domain takeover of part of its land.
U.S. bishop joins Slovaks honoring blessed bishop tortured by communists
Wed, 13 May 2026 14:30:00 GMT
Greek Catholic faithful gathered in the birthplace of Blessed Vasiľ Hopko, a bishop imprisoned and tortured under communism in Czechoslovakia, to mark 50 years since his death.
Deaths of Christian sanitation workers in Pakistan highlight systemic discrimination
Wed, 13 May 2026 13:45:00 GMT
At least six Christian sanitation workers have died in recent weeks cleaning sewers in Pakistan. Rights groups say minorities are systematically channeled into hazardous work.
Pope Leo prays where St. John Paul II was shot on feast of Our Lady of Fátima
Wed, 13 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT
Leo XIV dedicated his message on May 13 to "the Virgin Mary, model of the Church."
President of Costa Rica entrusts her term to Our Lady of the Angels
Wed, 13 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT
The bishop of Limón prayed for the new president at Mass, that she would have "wisdom in making decisions, prudence to listen, and clarity to act, always with the well-being of our people in mind."
Vatican says SSPX faces excommunications for ‘schismatic’ bishop consecrations
Wed, 13 May 2026 11:51:42 GMT
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández said Pope Leo XIV is praying for the leaders of the Society of St. Pius X to "reconsider the very grave decision they have made."
Nuncio warns not to forget the poor at Africa summit on digital technology inspired by ‘Dilexi Te’
Wed, 13 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT
The first summit of its kind at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Kenya explored the theme of how digital innovation can serve humanity, especially the poor.
Priest invites Catholics around the world to pray the full rosary for 153 days
Wed, 13 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT
Beginning May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fátima, a Filipino-American priest is inviting Catholics around the world to pray the mysteries of the rosary for 153 days "for the salvation of souls."
Brownback says China’s actions amount to systematic assault on freedom of belief
Tue, 12 May 2026 22:43:00 GMT
“We're in a battle today with the Chinese Communist Party and their authoritarian view," Former Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback said at an event at the Hudson Institute.
Pro-life groups praise FDA commissioner’s exit, flag acting leader’s Planned Parenthood role
Tue, 12 May 2026 22:13:02 GMT
Pro-life advocates said they hope President Donald Trump replaces Marty Makary with someone who will further regulate the abortion pill mifepristone.
Venezuelan archbishop: Maduro’s gone, but the same people are still in charge
Tue, 12 May 2026 21:22:53 GMT
The leadership of the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference updated Pope Leo XIV on the political situation in the country, noting that only limited progress has been made and the economy hasn't improved.
Jimmy Lai’s daughter says she’s ‘very hopeful’ ahead of Trump’s meeting with Chinese president
Tue, 12 May 2026 20:41:31 GMT
“It would mean so much to have our father back,” Claire Lai said ahead of the president's trip to China.
Chicago priest removed after ‘inappropriate conversations’ with children, women
Tue, 12 May 2026 16:01:18 GMT
Cardinal Blase Cupich said Father Jose Molina was accused of "improper communications" and was barred from ministering in Chicago.
Vatican urges religious leaders not to be ‘complicit through silence or fear’ amid division
Tue, 12 May 2026 15:04:00 GMT
The Vatican’s message for Vesak calls Buddhists and Christians to promote an “unarmed and disarming” peace rooted in truth, compassion, and mutual trust.
Swiss Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig dies at 79
Tue, 12 May 2026 14:34:13 GMT
The longtime Vatican diplomat, who served as apostolic nuncio to Italy and San Marino, was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.
Vatican bank’s profit jumps 55.5% over previous year
Tue, 12 May 2026 13:12:40 GMT
The Institute for the Works of Religion closed 2025 with a net profit of 51 million euros and approved a 24.3 million euro dividend for the Holy Father.
Illustrator of new stamp of Pope Leo XIV reflects on limits of AI in sacred art
Tue, 12 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT
Spanish painter Raúl Berzosa, who has been commissioned for a number of philatelic works by the Vatican, said that while AI can be a useful tool for ideas or composition, it is a soulless creation.
U.S. bishops object to Trump administration tightening asylum and federal housing assistance rules
Tue, 12 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT
The bishops warned that proposed rules could have moral consequences, with people losing housing assistance and others being denied the opportunity to work.
EWTN News explains: What does the Catholic Church teach about UFOs and alien life?
Tue, 12 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT
The Church has never pronounced dogmatically on the question of extraterrestrial intelligence, but Catholic thinkers over the years have contributed to the discourse on the long-running topic.
Book explores ‘darkness’ of yoga
Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT
Author Linda Carl warns that it is easy to enter into the "darkness" of yoga because its terminology and actions can be “confusing or misleading.”
U.S. bishops release Archbishop Sample video, resources on consecrating nation to the Sacred Heart
Mon, 11 May 2026 22:04:03 GMT
In a video message, Archbishop Alexander Sample reflected on the meaning and history of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Pope warns main threat common to religion and science is denial of objective truth
Mon, 11 May 2026 21:32:00 GMT
Pope Leo XIV pointed out that both science and the Church clearly teach that caring for the planet is threatened by the irresponsible exploitation of both people and the natural world.
Supreme Court temporarily extends access to mail-order mifepristone
Mon, 11 May 2026 21:02:40 GMT
The drug will continue to be available at pharmacies or through mail, and it can be obtained without an in-person visit to a doctor.
Trump vows to discuss freedom of Jimmy Lai, Christian leaders detained in China
Mon, 11 May 2026 20:32:01 GMT
The president likened the call to free Lai to the complexity of releasing indicted former FBI Director James Comey as families of Chinese prisoners rallied outside the White House.
Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, announces parish closures and mergers
Mon, 11 May 2026 19:56:00 GMT
Declining numbers of practicing Catholics, fewer priests, and deteriorating buildings in Rhode Island led to the changes.
Moms.gov debuts with pro‑life resources as administration proposes fertility rule
Mon, 11 May 2026 19:26:07 GMT
The site, with information on pregnancy-related healthcare, does not reference in vitro fertilization while a proposed rule would expand IVF insurance coverage.
Ahead of vote in France, bishop calls for prayer and fasting to defeat euthanasia bill
Mon, 11 May 2026 18:37:05 GMT
The bishop of Bayonne, Lescar, and Oloron, Marc Aillet, appealed to the faithful to pray and fast on May 13 for the defeat of the bill, which would legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Piarist Fathers demand Cuban regime return their cloister and school
Mon, 11 May 2026 17:36:00 GMT
Nationalized by the communist government in 1961, the two buildings are in a state of serious deterioration and require immediate attention the government is unwilling or unable to provide.
Haitian prime minister meets Pope Leo, inaugurates new Vatican embassy
Mon, 11 May 2026 17:06:00 GMT
The new embassy of Haiti to the Holy See, inaugurated Sunday near the Vatican walls, marks a deepening of diplomatic ties amid ongoing political crisis in the Caribbean nation.
Historic parish in Toronto Archdiocese to finally break ground on new church
Mon, 11 May 2026 16:36:00 GMT
St. Patrick’s Parish in Brampton, Ontario, is bursting at the seams. Now, on May 24, it will break ground on its long-awaited new church.
Pope names U.S. Bishop Lopes to lead Catholics of Anglican tradition in Australia
Mon, 11 May 2026 16:06:00 GMT
The Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross in Australia is one of three personal ordinariates for Catholics of Anglican tradition.
Pope Leo XIV urges Christians, Muslims to turn indifference into solidarity
Mon, 11 May 2026 15:36:00 GMT
The pontiff warned that constant exposure to images of suffering can “dull our hearts rather than stir them.”
Czechs turn ‘symbol of division’ into ground for Catholic-Protestant unity
Mon, 11 May 2026 15:06:00 GMT
The May 8 gatherings, organized by lay groups around a reconciliation cross, mark a shift in how the Czech Republic, one of Europe’s most secular countries, lives with a historic religious wound.
Cardinal Bo: Myanmar in ‘polycrisis’ 5 years after military coup
Mon, 11 May 2026 14:21:00 GMT
The archbishop of Yangon, Myanmar, described overlapping economic, social, and humanitarian crises facing his country at the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference plenary in Sydney.