The U.S. Department of Energy now believes the COVID-19 global pandemic most likely came from a laboratory leak in China, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
International News
Scores of Migrants Killed in Shipwreck Off Coast of Italy
At least 63 migrants died Feb. 26 when the wooden boat carrying them — in a storm with high waves and strong winds — broke apart after crashing against rocks along the coast of Calabria in southern Italy.
Turkey’s Initial Earthquake Response Hindered by Censorship
As the initial rescue work in Turkey and Syria shifts to recovery and clean up following the Feb. 6 earthquakes that killed more than 41,000 people, many are criticizing the Turkish government not only for its unsafe buildings but also for its lack of a coordinated rescue response that included a 12-hour shutdown of Twitter.
Only in Print: ‘Jesus Mafa’ Paintings Share Gospel, Depict Jesus as Black Man
When one searches “Jesus Mafa,” scenes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ materialize on a computer screen.
Church Members Raising $50,000 to Buy Wheelchairs for Ukrainian Orphans
As the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine approached on Feb. 24, a group of Ukrainian Americans opened their hearts to disabled orphans forced to flee their homeland when the fighting started.
Ukrainian Catholics Hail Biden’s Surprise Visit to Kyiv for Bravery, ‘Amazing Boost of Hope’
U.S. President Joe Biden’s unexpected Feb. 20 visit to Kyiv, calmly walking alongside Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as air raid sirens wailed in the capital, is being hailed as a surprise and a signal to the world, Ukrainian Catholic leaders told OSV News.
Analysis: Pondering ‘Cardinals Who Aren’t’ And The Politics of The Next Conclave
Vatican-watchers love to speculate about the next pope, and the recent death of Pope Benedict XVI was a reminder to pundits everywhere to make sure their handicapping lists are up to date. As the conversation stands today, perhaps the hardest question to answer is who the “opposition” candidates are.
Miami Archbishop Offers to House Exiled Nicaraguan Priests, Seminarians
Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski spoke to the Florida Catholic Feb. 11 about the expected arrival in Miami of some of the political prisoners released by the Nicaraguan government and flown to the U.S. Feb. 9.
Church of England to Debate Referring to God ‘In A Non-Gendered Way’
The Church of England is planning to debate the introduction of liturgy that refers to persons of the Holy Trinity “in a non-gendered way” instead of using male pronouns.
Priests, Parishes Unite to Aid Local Families Affected by Turkey-Syria Earthquake
Unimaginable images of a father holding onto his teenage daughter’s hand as she lay dead under a collapsed building and babies being pulled from the rubble of an earthquake that devastated parts of Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6 hit especially close to home for families in Brooklyn and Queens with relatives in the ravaged region.