News & Commentary

Pope Leo XIV leads the recitation of the Angelus prayer with visitors gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Aug. 24, 2025.

Pope marks Ukraine’s Independence Day with prayers for peace

Marking Ukraine's Independence Day, Pope Leo XIV pledged his prayers for the Ukrainian people in a message to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and encouraged Catholics to respond to Ukrainian religious leaders' request for prayers for peace Aug. 24.
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Dioceses emerge from Hurricane Ida as others prepare to help

Catholic Charities in and around the areas of Louisiana and Mississippi affected by Hurricane Ida are collecting donations as they prepare to help with the yet-unknown damage caused by the late August storm.
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Italian priest recounts harrowing escape from Kabul

Although Barnabite Father Giovanni Scalese, head of the Catholic mission in Afghanistan, found himself back in his native Italy after the fall of the Afghan capital, his thoughts remained on the church he was forced to leave behind.
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As Afghanistan convulses, Catholic organizations help refugees in U.S.

An already tense situation in Afghanistan took a turn for the worse early Aug. 26 when two explosions near the Kabul airport led to casualties and injuries still being calculated.
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Hypocrisy in the church is ‘detestable,’ pope says at audience

Hypocrites are afraid of the truth, fearful of who they really are and incapable of truly loving, Pope Francis said during his weekly general audience.
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Cupich: Turn grief over officer’s death into helping community

Hundreds of police officers and other first responders were on hand at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel the morning of Aug. 19 to pay final respects to Chicago Police Officer Ella French, who was killed in the line of ...
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U.S. missionary nuns fly home after quake to organize shipment to Haiti

Getting emergency supplies and aid into the Haiti region most impacted by the Aug. 14 earthquake will prove a major logistical challenge, said two missionary nuns who work in Haiti.
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