News & Commentary

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa greets parishioners in the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City July 20, 2025. He entered the Gaza Strip July 18 together with Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, offering his support, closeness and prayers following the Israeli army's July 17 attack on the parish. He is accompanied by Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest who was injured during the attack, which killed three Christians sheltering in the parish. (OSV News/courtesy Holy Family Parish)

Patriarch’s visit ‘a miracle,’ while parishioners in Gaza feel desperation

OSV News July 23, 2025

Parishioners of Gaza's Holy Family Church are feeling "horror" and almost a sense of "desperation" after an Israeli tank shell struck the church.

Pope Francis stops in prayer before the icon "Salus Populi Romani" ("health -- or salvation -- of the Roman people") after praying the rosary for peace in Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major Oct. 6, 2024. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

As wider war threatens Middle East, pope asks Mary to intercede

OSV News October 7, 2024

As fighting in the Middle East intensified and spread, Pope Francis turned to Mary, begging her to "intercede for our world in danger."

Dikembe Mutombo, an All-American on the men's basketball team at Georgetown University and an NBA Hall of Fame player, who dedicated his life to philanthropic and humanitarian work to advocate for those in need, died Sept. 30, 2024, at age 58 from brain cancer.

Dikembe Mutombo, beloved NBA superstar with Georgetown University roots, dies at 58

OSV News October 4, 2024

Dikembe Mutombo, a beloved NBA superstar who got his start on the Georgetown University courts, died Sept. 30.

Synod participants visit before the start of the first working session of the Synod of Bishops in the Vatican's Paul VI Audience Hall

Pope defends decision to give women, laymen voting rights at synod

OSV News October 3, 2024

Pope Francis opened the second session of the Synod of Bishops defending his decision to give women and laymen votes at the assembly, saying it reflects the Second Vatican Council's teaching that a bishop exercises his ministry with and within ...

Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance of Ohio and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, take part in their first and only debate at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City Oct. 1, 2024.

Vance and Walz debate abortion, immigration, gun policy and democracy

OSV News October 2, 2024

At the first and only debate Oct. 1 between Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., and Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, the vice presidential nominees of their respective parties, the candidates sparred with each other on topics including abortion, immigration, gun policy relating ...

A drone view Sept. 29, 2024, shows a damaged area in Asheville, N.C., following the passing of Tropical Storm Helene.

Relief efforts underway in western North Carolina; flooding caused by Helene devastates region

OSV News October 1, 2024

Relief efforts are under way to help communities across western North Carolina reeling from the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene.

Mount Angel Abbey's mountain climbing monks are pictured after summing Oregon's South Sister Mountain July 18, 2024. Pictured are Brother Gabriel Brands, Brother Ambrose Stewart, Brother Brandon Contreras and Father Michael Shrum. (OSV News photo/courtesy Brother Ambrose Stewart)

Mountain-climbing monks enjoy views, brews, Mass on Pacific Northwest peaks

OSV News September 27, 2024

In a summer of firsts, mountain-climbing Benedictine monks of Mount Angel Abbey took to the heights — their locally brewed beer tucked in backpacks — ascending renowned peaks in the Pacific Northwest during the season's brief window of opportunity.