Controversial German bishop will not seek reelection as bishops’ conference president January 22, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, News, Synodality, World News Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, president of the German bishops’ conference, who spearheaded the controversial Synodal Way during his six-year term, announced that he will not seek reelection when the bishops meet for the spring assembly in February.
Pope evaluating Trump’s invitation to join Board of Peace, Vatican’s secretary of state says January 21, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV is currently evaluating an invitation by U.S. President Donald Trump to join his “Board of Peace,” an international body chaired by the president to oversee the governance and reconstruction of Gaza, the Vatican secretary of state said.
Heads of Churches of the Holy Land call Christian Zionism a ‘damaging’ ideology January 21, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, News, World News As the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity unfolded, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of the Holy Land warned that Christian Zionism was among the “damaging ideologies” being pushed that ultimately harmed the presence and unity of Christians in the Holy Land.
Pope encourages Neocatechumenal Way to continue mission ‘without closing yourselves off’ January 20, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Evangelization, News, Vatican, World News The zeal to evangelize and announce the Gospel must be tempered with charity and respect for an individual’s conscience, Pope Leo XIV told members of the Neocatechumenal Way.
Pope ‘deeply saddened’ by deadly high-speed train collision in Spain January 19, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Disaster Relief, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV expressed his condolences to the families of victims of a devastating accident in which two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain’s Andalucia region.
Surrogacy reduces children to products for sale, Vatican foreign minister says January 16, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, Vatican, World News Surrogacy violates the dignity of both unborn children and pregnant women, reducing them to mere commodities and victims of exploitation, said Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Vatican foreign minister.
At annual Marian celebration in Venezuela, bishops call for release of political prisoners January 15, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Caribbean, Marian Devotion, News, World News Each year, the annual Marian procession of the “Divina Pastora” (“Divine Shepherdess”) draws millions of pilgrims and devotees in Venezuela.
For Pope Leo XIV, Christian unity is not just an ideal, but an imperative January 14, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, Feature, News, Vatican, World News As the Catholic Church prepares to join Christians around the world in commemorating the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the theme chosen also reflects Pope Leo XIV’s hope of unified humanity in an increasingly individualistic world.
Jubilee set to mark 800th year since St. Francis’ death; saint’s body to be displayed January 13, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, Vatican, World News Pope Leo has established that from Jan. 10, following the closing of the church’s Jubilee Year, until Jan. 10, 2027, a special Year of St. Francis may be proclaimed, in which every Christian, “following the example of the Saint of Assisi, may himself become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace.”
New papal staff highlights Christ’s victory over death, papal liturgies office says January 13, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News, Worship & Sacraments While Catholics have been accustomed to the famed silver papal staff featuring the suffering of Christ crucified and used by the pontiffs for decades, a new staff, or crosier, used by Pope Leo XIV, emphasized the victory of the risen Christ over death.
Pope calls for peace and dialogue as protests continue in Iran January 12, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Uncategorized As anti-government protests in Iran continue despite an internet blackout and the use of lethal force against demonstrators, Pope Leo XIV expressed his concern over the escalating situation.
Venezuelan Nobel laureate Machado asks pope for help in freeing political prisoners January 12, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Caribbean, News, Vatican, World News Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate María Corina Machado asked for Pope Leo XIV’s help in securing the release of political prisoners in the country following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
