EWTN News
Trusted global Catholic news, analysis, and multimedia coverage of the Church, Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican, and issues impacting Catholics worldwide.
Pope Leo XIV: AI communication must preserve ‘human voices and faces’
Sun, 17 May 2026 11:15:04 GMT
The pontiff marked World Communications Day by urging technology to remain centered on human dignity.
Centennial honors historic Michigan church built amid KKK threats and strikes
Sun, 17 May 2026 11:00:00 GMT
Founded amid hardship and change, the centennial of St. Mary Star of the Sea in Jackson, Michigan, brings together generations to honor a diverse parish that continues to thrive.
Nationwide billboard campaign in Ireland invites thousands to rosary rally
Sun, 17 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT
Building on last year’s turnout of over 10,000 people, the All Ireland Rosary Rally in Knock is running a two-week billboard campaign to attract even more participation for this year's event.
Vatican sets up commission on artificial intelligence
Sun, 17 May 2026 09:50:07 GMT
Pope Leo XIV approved the new body as the Vatican prepares for his first encyclical, expected to address artificial intelligence through the lens of Catholic social teaching.
Former finance director admits to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from New Jersey parish
Sat, 16 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT
Prosecutors had charged Joseph Manzi with the theft in October 2025.
Seminarians medal at Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon
Sat, 16 May 2026 13:24:00 GMT
On May 5, 21 men in formation for the priesthood at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology in Cincinnati participated in the 28th annual Flying Pig Marathon.
India-born bishop in Germany sees his role as giving migrants 'a face'
Sat, 16 May 2026 12:36:00 GMT
Auxiliary Bishop Joshy George Pottackal, O.Carm., is the first bishop in a German diocese born outside Europe.
Pope Leo XIV to visit France in September, including a stop at UNESCO headquarters
Sat, 16 May 2026 12:15:00 GMT
The visit will mark the pope's fifth international apostolic journey.
Tarsus diocese restored after more than a century
Sat, 16 May 2026 10:15:00 GMT
There is now an episcopal presence in Tarsus; dioceses in Ireland and Canada are celebrating ordinations; a Nigerian priest is freed, and more in this week’s roundup of world news.
Texas hospital agrees to end ‘sex-rejecting’ procedures on children and fund detransition clinic
Fri, 15 May 2026 22:45:00 GMT
Doctors at Texas Children’s Hospital allegedly continued to perform procedures on children despite a Texas law prohibiting them, with Governor Greg Abbott calling such interventions "child abuse."
Leo XIV greets young people who fled war-torn Gaza and will continue their studies in Rome
Fri, 15 May 2026 22:15:00 GMT
Through a special program sponsored by the Diocese of Rome, Sapienza University and the Sant'Egidio Community, 72 young people from Gaza will be able to continue studies cut short by the war.
Cardinal Czerny on Cuba: Every decision must seek the ‘good of the people,’ not ‘geopolitical ends’
Fri, 15 May 2026 22:06:00 GMT
In his homily at a Mass that was part of an event organized by the Cuban Embassy to the Holy See, Cardinal Czerny said that any decisions and any aid to Cuba should be for the welfare of the people.
The Catholic Church's response to AI — so far
Fri, 15 May 2026 21:48:00 GMT
As anticipation builds for Pope Leo XIV's first papal encyclical, recent teachings reveal the contours of a Catholic approach to artificial intelligence.
Colombia renews its consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Fri, 15 May 2026 20:42:09 GMT
As part of the Fourth National Rosary, Archbishop Francisco Múnera, president of Colombia's bishops' conference, renewed the country's consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Trump's China summit fails to produce breakthrough for release of Jimmy Lai
Fri, 15 May 2026 19:40:00 GMT
Despite the failure to secure an agreement on Jimmy Lai’s freedom, his daughter, Claire Lai, said her family remains “so grateful to President Trump and his administration” for their support.
Catholic mental health initiatives launch on St. Dymphna’s feast day
Fri, 15 May 2026 17:26:00 GMT
Tradition holds that after her mother’s death, St. Dymphna's father’s mental health declined dramatically, leading to her martyrdom.
Newman Guide schools honor Catholic leaders at 2026 commencements
Fri, 15 May 2026 16:28:00 GMT
With graduation season underway, here is a roundup of individuals who will receive honorary degrees from Catholic colleges at commencement ceremonies across the country.
SSPX responds to Vatican warning about excommunication with ‘declaration of Catholic faith’
Fri, 15 May 2026 16:16:00 GMT
The Vatican said on May 13 that the Society of St. Pius X's plan to consecrate new bishops without papal mandate will be a schismatic act resulting in excommunication.
Poland to register same-sex 'marriages' from EU countries
Fri, 15 May 2026 15:19:57 GMT
Legal observers say the Polish government's administrative approach may exceed its authority under Article 18 of the constitution.
Philippine bishops press Senate to begin Duterte impeachment trial
Fri, 15 May 2026 14:08:28 GMT
The prelates called on lawmakers to fulfill their constitutional duty after the House voted overwhelmingly to impeach Duterte a second time.
135 years later, Rerum Novarum inspires Pope Leo XIV and still shapes Catholic social teaching
Fri, 15 May 2026 14:05:06 GMT
Today, on the 135th anniversary of the release of Rerum Novarum, EWTN News takes a look at the significance of this historic encyclical.
Pope Leo XIV rejects use of death penalty in fight against organized crime, drug trafficking
Fri, 15 May 2026 13:45:00 GMT
The pope addressed parliamentarians and representatives from across Europe, Central Asia and North America participating in a conference on illicit drugs hosted by the Italian Parliament.
Pope Leo to Coptic patriarch: Christians must work together in the Middle East
Fri, 15 May 2026 12:52:20 GMT
The friendship between the Catholic and Coptic churches began over 50 years ago with the meeting of St. Pope Paul VI and Shenouda III.
Join EWTN's Novena to the Holy Spirit, the ‘oldest novena in the life of the Church’
Fri, 15 May 2026 10:40:00 GMT
EWTN launches a pray-along novena to the Holy Spirit beginning Friday, May 15 leading up to the Solemnity of Pentecost.
EWTN News explains: Is it ever morally OK to execute a criminal?
Fri, 15 May 2026 10:08:00 GMT
Capital punishment was "long considered an appropriate response" to serious crimes, but the Church now teaches that it is "inadmissible."
Thousands rally at Canada's National March for Life in Ottawa
Fri, 15 May 2026 00:51:28 GMT
Canada's March for Life takes in place in May to mark the month in 1969 when the omnibus bill that decriminalized abortion in Canada was passed. This year’s march fell on the anniversary of the vote.
Archbishop Hebda issues pastoral letter reminding families that ‘Only One Thing Is Necessary’
Thu, 14 May 2026 23:52:13 GMT
Despite the “uphill battle” families face, Hebda encourages them: “Dear families, please take heart. You are not alone. The Church journeys with you, the Church loves you, and the Church needs you!”
Reflecting on meeting with Leo, Rubio emphasizes distinction between role of Church and nation state
Thu, 14 May 2026 22:45:00 GMT
"There are conflicts and issues in the world that cannot be solved diplomatically, no matter how hard you try," Rubio said.
U.S. Supreme Court preserves access to abortion pill as legal fight continues
Thu, 14 May 2026 22:33:00 GMT
Mail-order abortions will continue in the U.S. after the nation's Supreme Court restored telehealth access to the abortion drug mifepristone.
Democratic senators press Housing secretary on missing homelessness data
Thu, 14 May 2026 21:25:09 GMT
Catholic Charities USA said the lack of federal data on the number of homeless people hampers its ability to assess needs and advocate for essential resources.
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."