ICE arrests take toll on DC churches

What is the ‘Queenship of Mary’ and why does it matter?

The Catholic Church annually celebrates the feast of the Queenship of Mary on Aug. 22.

Villanova University Mass interrupted by ‘active shooter’ hoax

Villanova University confirmed Thursday that reports of an active shooter on campus that interrupted an opening Mass for new students and their families was a “cruel hoax.”

ICE arrests take toll on DC churches

Catholic churches that serve Spanish-speaking communities in the Archdiocese of Washington have reported anxiety as immigration enforcement increases.

Syrian minister of culture sparks controversy with Islamic chant in Orthodox church

Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed.

Pope Leo XIV calls for a ‘great cultural conversion’ in his greeting to Rimini meeting Pope Leo XIV called for “faith, hope, and charity to be translated into a great cultural conversion” in a message for the Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples.

Nigeria, Iran, China top priority countries for new religious freedom commission chair

Nigeria is the deadliest country in the world for Christians, according to the new chair of the U.S. Commission on International Freedom (USCIRF).

Catholic scholars urge caution as Trump considers rescheduling marijuana

The federal government considers marijuana — cannabis, the name of the plant that contains psychoactive compounds called cannabinoids — a Schedule I substance.

Frank Caprio, famed judge known for showing mercy, dies at 88

Frank Caprio, a Providence, Rhode Island, municipal court judge for nearly 40 years, passed away on Aug. 20 from pancreatic cancer.

Bolivian bishops after elections: ‘A new chapter in the country’s political history opens’

The Bolivian Bishops’ Conference expressed hope after Bolivia’s recent general election, which marked a change in the country’s political direction.

Pope Leo XIV looks to Ukraine with hope: ‘We must work hard, pray hard’ On Aug. 19, Pope Leo XIV expressed hope for an end to the war in Ukraine, noting that hard work and prayer are needed to achieve peace.

New Frassati Chapel aims to bring perpetual adoration to the nation’s capital

The Frassati Chapel will serve as a place for Catholics in Washington, D.C., to pray throughout the day and to attend Eucharistic adoration throughout the week.

Pope Leo XIV visits favorite Marian shrine of John Paul II outside Rome

Pope Leo XIV made a private visit Tuesday to the Shrine of Our Lady of Mentorella, Mother of Graces, near Rome.

Pope Leo XIV to Amazon bishops: Nature is not to be worshipped but exists to praise God

Pope Leo XIV reminded the bishops of the Amazon region of the importance of caring for nature without becoming slaves or worshippers of it.

English priest presents Our Lady of Persecuted Christians icon to Iraqi bishop

On the anniversary of displacement, Father Benedict Kiely presented the Mosul, Iraq, archbishop with an icon for a shrine in Qaraqosh.