News & Commentary

Msgr. Carlo Alberto Capella, left, a former Vatican diplomat who served in Washington, talks to his lawyer during his sentencing in a Vatican court in this June 23, 2018, file photo.

Priest convicted of distributing, possessing child pornography said to still work at Vatican

Msgr. Carlo Alberto Capella, a former Vatican diplomat who was convicted of distributing and possessing child pornography, continues to work at the Vatican Secretariat of State as one of several clerks, a report says.
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A mother and child are seen enjoying time together in a park in Indianapolis. All mothers are honored in special ways on Mother's Day, which is May 10 this year. (CNS photo/Mary Ann Wyand, The Criterion)

Studies show need to increase mental health support for young women, mothers

Limited access to mental health care, rising substance use disorders and increasing income inequality are three likely reasons that young women and mothers are reporting declining mental health.
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U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses delegates during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, following U.S attacks on Iran's nuclear sites, at U.N. headquarters in New York City June 22, 2025. (OSV News photo/Eduardo Munoz, Reuters)

Holy See tells UN: World needs peace, not just ‘absence of war’

Peace is "more than just the absence of war," but instead a commitment to human flourishing -- and one required more than ever as conflict and global defense spending soar, said the Holy See's permanent mission to the United Nations.
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Pope Leo XIV greets people before leading a meditation for hundreds of seminarians and those involved in priestly formation from around the world in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican June 24, 2025, as part of the Jubilee of Seminarians. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

Love with Christ’s compassionate heart, Pope Leo tells seminarians

Do not be afraid to grapple with your innermost thoughts, feelings and problems so that your heart can be filled with God and his compassion, Pope Leo XIV told seminarians.
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Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Irbil, Iraq, gives a testimony of Christian persecution Nov. 28, 2018, during a vespers service in the Crypt Church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. (OSV News photo/Tyler Orsburn)

‘Each conflict reopens wounds,’ says Chaldean Catholic archbishop in Iraq

A Chaldean archbishop told OSV News June 23 that he has been unable to contact his fellow bishop in Iran, following recent strikes by the U.S. and Israel on various sites in that nation.
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A displaced Syrian family are pictured in a file photo inside their tent at a refugee camp in the village of Jeb Jennine, in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. (OSV News photo/Paul Jeffrey)

Amid conflict, poverty, papal charity aids persecuted Christians worldwide

Amid conflict, instability and poverty, "a remarkable display of true Christian charity" helped sustain the church in more than 130 countries during the previous year, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, president of the papal foundation Aid to the Church in Need.
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People cheer during a "Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth" concert at Times Square in New York City June 19, 2025.

Juneteenth seen as day to reflect on freedom, ending racism and Black Catholics’ contributions

This year marks the 160th anniversary of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the last Confederate state that continued to uphold the practice of slavery two years after it was abolished in the country -- an event marked by ...
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