News & Commentary

Jorge Granados, aka El Spanky, blesses Cristal, his image of La Santa Muerte, with beer Jan. 1, 2024, as he prepares for an annual pilgrimage from Ecatepec, Mexico, to the shrine of La Santa Muerte in Mexico City's Tepito neighborhood. Mexico's bishops criticized the use of an image of Santa Muerte, or St. Death, in political advertising during the presidential campaigns. (OSV News photo/Gustavo Graf, Reuters)

Mexico’s bishops denounce use of Santa Muerte in political advertising

OSV News April 26, 2024

Mexico's bishops have blasted the use of the folkloric La Santa Muerte by the country's ruling party as a distortion of the nation's "fundamental values" ahead of presidential and local elections, which have been marred by violence and the killing ...

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Pope, Council of Cardinals continue discussion of women in the church

OSV News April 17, 2024

Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals continued their discussions about the role of women in the church, listening to women experts, including a professor who spoke about how culture impacts women's roles and status.

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New York bill expands hate crime criteria to help protect houses of worship

OSV News April 16, 2024

Legislation in New York state would expand the state's criteria for a hate crime to include trespassing on houses of worship.

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York is presently safe in Jerusalem amid Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel, where air raid sirens in the late hours of April 13 alerted the country to incoming drones and missiles.

Cardinal Dolan safe in Jerusalem amid Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel

OSV News April 15, 2024

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York is presently safe in Jerusalem amid Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel, where air raid sirens in the late hours of April 13 alerted the country to incoming drones and missiles.

Pope Francis is planning to make the longest trip of his papacy in September, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore, the Vatican press office announced.

Pope plans to travel to Asia in September, Vatican confirms

OSV News April 12, 2024

Pope Francis is planning to make the longest trip of his papacy in September, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore, the Vatican press office announced.

Victim-survivors address court in Archdiocese of Baltimore’s bankruptcy process

OSV News April 11, 2024

Six victim-survivors of sexual abuse by clergy in the Archdiocese of Baltimore gave statements in court April 8 about the long-term impact of the abuse on their lives as part of the federal bankruptcy reorganization.

Arizona high court upholds 1864 abortion ban as ballot measure becomes likely

OSV News April 10, 2024

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled April 9 that a 160-year-old near-total abortion ban still on the books in the state is enforceable, a move that could shutter abortion clinics in the state. But, Arizona may have the issue of abortion ...