Catholic clergy are calling for prayer and peace following U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran Feb. 28 that killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as well as senior leaders and civilians.
International News
USCCB President: Prayer, Diplomacy Needed In Middle East To Avert ‘Tragedy Of Immense Proportions’
The leader of the U.S. Catholic bishops has echoed Pope Leo XIV’s call for deescalation and dialogue in the Middle East, following the joint attacks on Iran launched Feb. 28 by the U.S. and Israel, which killed Iran’s longtime supreme leader, 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Pope Leo Warns Of ‘Irreparable Abyss,’ If Diplomacy Doesn’t Take Over Violence In Iran, Middle East
Pope Leo XIV issued a fervent appeal for return of diplomacy in “these dramatic hours” in the Middle East and Iran, condemning use of weapons that cause “destruction, pain, and death.”
Pilgrims Glad to See Long-Awaited Renovations at Grotto of Nativity
The Grotto of the Nativity is receiving its first renovations in some 600 years despite ongoing violence and displaced humanity in Gaza.
Pope Leo XIV To Visit Spain in June of 2026, Vatican Announces
With the Vatican confirming Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Spain in June, plans for the upcoming visit are full steam ahead.
‘Christ Is My Identity, My Foundation,’ Says Catholic Player on Us Women’s Hockey Team
Olympic gold medalist Haley Winn credits her Catholic faith as the foundation of her success, sharing how prayer, family, and trust in Christ shaped her journey with the U.S. women’s hockey team at the 2026 Winter Games.
Vatican to Restore ‘Awe and Wonder’ of Michelangelo’s ‘The Last Judgment’
The Vatican has begun a major restoration of Michelangelo’s dramatic fresco The Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel, aiming to restore its original color and contrast while preserving a masterpiece that once inspired “awe and wonder.”
Team USA’s Hockey Gold Honors Catholic Hockey Star Tragically Killed With Brother in 2024
Team USA’s 2026 Olympic hockey gold medal carried a deeper meaning as players honored late Catholic star Johnny Gaudreau, remembering his faith, family, and legacy after his tragic death with his brother in 2024.
Russia’s War on Ukraine Means ‘No Priests Left,’ Documentary Shows
A new documentary, No Priests Left, highlights the persecution of clergy and faith communities in Russian-occupied Ukraine, where Catholic priests have been arrested, deported, or forced out amid the ongoing war.
St. Francis’ of Assisi Relics Open to Public for First Time in 800 Years
The mortal remains of St. Francis of Assisi are being exposed for an extended period of public veneration.