News & Commentary

Leaders of local Catholic Charities agencies from around the country traveled to Washington for a Nov. 18, 2025 summit organized by Catholic Charities USA, to share firsthand insights and experiences in serving those experiencing homelessness in their communities.

Catholic agencies strategize how to serve homeless amid major US policy change

The major change in federal policy on homelessness and its potential impact on the people Catholic Charities agencies serve was among the issues discussed at a summit of Catholic Charities' leaders and local politicians on Nov. 18.
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A Planned Parenthood facility in Washington is seen in this file photo. (OSV News photo/Tyler Orsburn)

Judge blocks, for now, Planned Parenthood defunding provision backed by bishops

A federal judge placed a temporary restraining order on a provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law July 4, that would have stopped Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid payments for a year.
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Rescuers paddle an inflatable boat as they search along a waterway in the aftermath of deadly flooding in Kerrville, Texas, July 6, 2025. At least 82 people are dead and at least 41 more are missing after devastating flash floods slammed the Texas Hill Country, with water rescues taking place along the Guadalupe River, which rose rapidly early July 4 to the height of a two-story building. Among the missing were almost a dozen from Camp Mystic in Kerr County, a children's summer camp, officials said July 6. (OSV News photo/Marco Bello, Reuters)

Catholics offer support as Texas flood’s catastrophic death toll rises

Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott declared Sunday, July 6 a day of prayer throughout the state, as the death toll from catastrophic flooding July 4 has now risen to at least 82 people as of July 7, including 28 children in ...
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The childhood home of Pope Leo XIV is pictured in the Dolton suburb of Chicago May 9, 2025. The Village of Dolton intends to purchase the childhood home of Pope Leo, hoping to turn the property and its surroundings into a historical site. (OSV News photo/Carlos Osorio, Reuters)

Town officials vote to buy Pope Leo’s childhood home as ‘historical site’

An Illinois town intends to purchase the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV, hoping to turn the property and its surroundings into a historical site.
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Protesters flank an entrance road at a temporary migrant detention center nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz" in Ochopee, Fla.

Miami clergy raise concerns as Trump tours Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Most Americans agree on the need for good U.S. border security, but to hear politicians and civil authorities hurl insults and jokes at the expense of migrants as Florida opened its new "Alligator Alcatraz" migrant detention center in the Florida ...
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The U.S. Capitol building in Washington June 27, 2025.

Senate passes Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’; measure heads to House

Senate Republicans on July 1 passed their version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which would enact key provisions of President Donald Trump's legislative agenda on taxes and immigration, without any Democratic support and losing three members of their ...
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Firefighters walk past a law enforcement checkpoint June 30, 2025, a day after two firefighters were shot dead while responding to a fire and the body of a man was later found with a gun nearby in the Canfield Mountain area outside Coeur d'Alene.

Idaho Catholics unite in prayer for firefighters killed in sniper ambush

An Idaho pastor told OSV News his parish turned to prayer and Eucharistic adoration, following a deliberate and deadly attack on first responders.
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