On Friday, March 13, Pope Leo XIV issued a direct appeal to Christians who bear responsibility in armed conflicts, urging them to undertake a serious examination of conscience. “Do those Christians who bear grave responsibility in armed conflicts have the humility and courage to make a serious examination of conscience and to go to confession?”…

Bill to safeguard women from chemical abortion introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, on March 11 announced legislation to ban the chemical abortion drug mifepristone, citing safety concerns for women. The Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act, which is widely supported by life-affirming groups, would withdraw FDA approval for the use…

Pope Leo XIV on Friday appointed Father Godfrey Mullen, the administrator of the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois, to serve as its new bishop, according to an announcement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Bishop-designate Mullen, a Benedictine monk, will be consecrated as bishop on May 1. He will fill a vacancy open since…

In Castel Gandolfo, Italy, this week, academics and representatives gathered to launch the Global Alliance, a new initiative by the University of Notre Dame and the Laudato Si’ Centre of Higher Education dedicated to promoting integral ecology through fostering environmental collaboration. As reported by the official Vatican News outlet, the initiative, which took place March…

The Cuban government announced that it will release 51 people from prison because of its “smooth” relations with the Vatican — a move that coincides with the upcoming observance of Holy Week. “In the spirit of goodwill, and of the close and smooth relations between the Cuban state and the Vatican — with which communication…

Local police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a Catholic deacon in the Archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, this week. The Omaha Police Officers Association said in a March 13 Facebook post that a “person of interest” was taken into custody on March 12 after Deacon John Zak was reportedly murdered the…