Benedictine Br. Joseph Byron, monk at Portsmouth Abbey and boarding school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, stands on top of the abbey's wind turbine in March 2006. (Courtesy of Joseph Byorn)

How a Benedictine monk built Rhode Island's first utility-scale wind turbine

News

The project was a test of whether Portsmouth Abbey and its school were willing to act on environmental values. "This is kind of a put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is kind of deal," says Br. Joseph Byron.

In this 2017 file photo, people in New York City carry the U.S. flag. (CNS/Reuters/Eduardo Munoz)
Opinion

Religious ignorance is as problematic as anti-religious bias

Michael Sean Winters
Catherine Meeks, founder of the Turquoise and Lavender Institute for Transformation and Healing (Courtesy of Catherine Meeks)
Opinion

Podcast: 'Racism has injured us all,' says racial healing leader Catherine Meeks

John Dear

The Latest

Argentina's World Cup title run becomes a moment of faith for fans, players and clergy

Eduardo Campos Lima, Religion News Service

Faith joins football as Spain and Argentina face off for World Cup title

Ines San Martin, Paulina Guzik

In new documentary, Mario Cuomo is a stark contrast to today's Catholic politicians

Jim McDermott

Editors' Choice

Peter Thiel speaks with attendees at the 2022 Converge Tech Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore)

In Focus

Tech billionaire Peter Thiel takes on popes, delves into end-times theology

In the last two weeks, venture tech capitalist Peter Thiel has accused Pope Leo XIV of being a Chinese communist agent because of his teaching on AI, and has insinuated that Pope Francis was an Antichrist figure.

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Most Read Stories

Four bishops lie on the floor as they are given episcopal consecration during a Mass in a tent set up outside the Society of St. Pius X seminary, in Econe, Switzerland, July 1, 2026. (Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP)

#1
Traditionalist Catholics face a difficult choice after Vatican cuts off breakaway group

For traditionalist Catholics who worship at churches affiliated with the breakaway Society of St. Pius X, Sunday Mass now comes with an extraordinary question.

ByHolly Meyer, Associated Press
Pope Leo XIV speaks with leaders of the "continental bodies" representing Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East and North America, together with the coordinators of the continental synodal teams, during a private meeting at the Vatican June 25, 2026. (CNS/Vatican Media)
NCR Voices

#2
In plans for 'Amoris Laetitia' meeting, Pope Leo continues to show his hand

We learned more about how Pope Leo XIV intends to implement the reforms his predecessor introduced when the Vatican released a "thematic framework" for a meeting to discuss Pope Francis' Amoris Laetitia.

ByMichael Sean Winters
Peter Thiel speaks with attendees at the 2022 Converge Tech Summit in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore)

#3
Tech billionaire Peter Thiel takes on popes, delves into end-times theology

In the last two weeks, venture tech capitalist Peter Thiel has accused Pope Leo XIV of being a Chinese communist agent because of his teaching on AI, and has insinuated that Pope Francis was an Antichrist figure.

ByBrian Fraga

#4
Pope Leo shares meal with vulnerable guests at Castel Gandolfo

#5
Podcast: Theologian Ronald Rolheiser talks about a spirituality for our wisdom years

#6
Jesuits will create 2 novitiates from 5 current US and Canada novitiates

Opinion

AI will make war worse, Pope Leo warns

Guest Voices

Can civil religion make a comeback?

NCR Voices
The New York Times Building in Manhattan, New York City (Wikimedia Commons/Adam Jones)

Editorial: Catholic support for press freedoms must be unwavering

Editorial

Catholics need to speak up for press freedom. As Jesuit Fr. John Courtney Murray put it in 1963: "The freedom of the press to inform is nothing really but the other side of the rights of the people to be informed."

Editorial: Following schism, SSPX leaders must work for unity

Editorial

Key issue of AI is not use of technology as such, but the vision that underlies it

Guest Voices
Hands holding and tapping on a cellphone (Unsplash/Rapha Wilde)

How can a God who whispers compete in the attention economy?

NCR Voices

We have largely surrendered our limited temporal resources to algorithms, and the near-constant distraction of smartphones and social media threatens our spiritual flourishing and prayer lives, writes Dan Horan.

Vatican

Four bishops lie on the floor as they are given episcopal consecration during a Mass in a tent set up outside the Society of St. Pius X seminary, in Econe, Switzerland, July 1, 2026. (Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP)

Traditionalist Catholics face a difficult choice after Vatican cuts off breakaway group

For traditionalist Catholics who worship at churches affiliated with the breakaway Society of St. Pius X, Sunday Mass now comes with an extraordinary question.

Rates of HIV, AIDS down, but children still vulnerable, says Vatican diplomat to UN

Much has been done to mitigate rates of HIV and AIDS, but more work remains as children are still vulnerable to the virus and the disease it causes, said the Holy See's diplomatic representative to the United Nations in a July 10 address.

ByGina Christian, OSV News
Andrea Tornielli, editorial director at the Dicastery for Communication speaks at a news conference at the Vatican Sept. 19, 2024. (CNS/Justin McLellan)

Did the Vatican take a jab at Trump's ambassador?

After the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See characterized the pope's criticism of the Iran war as the intervention of a head of state "coequal" to the U.S. president, a top Vatican communications official appeared to clap back.

ByJustin McLellan
Pilgrims are seen leaving a packed train July 12, 2026, as they arrive at Castel Gandolfo, Italy, ahead of Pope Leo XIV's Sunday Angelus. (OSV News photo/Jan Guzik)

Pilgrims flock to Castel Gandolfo for Pope Leo's first Angelus of the summer

When the 8:21 a.m. train left Rome's Termini Station to Castel Gandolfo July 12, people were packed in like sardines, off to see Pope Leo XIV's Sunday Angelus prayer — the first this summer at his residence there.

ByPaulina Guzik, OSV News

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Vatican News

Pope Leo shares meal with vulnerable guests at Castel Gandolfo

View from the Vatican

Reporter's Notebook: Witnessing the SSPX schism in the Swiss Alps

Vatican News

Vatican unveils agenda for global family summit marking 'Amoris Laetitia' anniversary

EarthBeat

A priest celebrates a funeral Mass in La Guaira, Venezuela, July 15, 2026, for 2-year-old Kalani Martinez and her mother, Ashley Martinez, 29, victims of the earthquakes. Two catastrophic earthquakes hit Venezuela in quick succession June 24, leaving at least 5,000 dead with thousands still missing. (OSV News/Reuters/Pablo Sanhueza)

Death toll in Venezuela nears 5,000 as earthquake recovery intensifies

Twin earthquakes in Venezuela have left nearly 5,000 people dead, according to government officials, triggering a massive mobilization of humanitarian aid organizations.

The mining facility in La Oroya, Peru, is photographed in 2014. (Wikimedia Commons/Heiner Amado Cadillo)

Peruvians exposed to lead as children reach $150M settlement, with Catholic help

Lawyers for Peruvian plaintiffs reached a $150 million settlement with Doe Run and the Renco Group, bringing an end to a 19-year lawsuit that was supported along the way by the Catholic Church in Peru and the U.S.

ByBrian Roewe

Las Cruces Diocese demands jury trial, just compensation in feds' effort to seize pilgrimage site

The Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, is demanding a jury trial as it fends off the Trump administration's move to seize a long-revered pilgrimage site for a border wall as part of Trump's hardline crackdown on immigration.

ByGina Christian, OSV News

'Keep Venezuelans in your hearts' after earthquakes, says Catholic relief worker

Damage from two back-to-back earthquakes that struck Venezuela June 24 is "a lot worse than expected," said a Catholic Relief Services disaster response worker, who asked people to "keep Venezuelans in their hearts."

ByGina Christian, OSV News

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Soul Seeing

Could Henry David Thoreau be a synodal conversation partner?

Columns

After 2 earthquakes, nuns do their part in Venezuelans' compassionate response

Catholic leaders, aid workers respond to Venezuela earthquakes

Culture

In the upcoming documentary "Mario," the faith and politics of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo are a stark contrast against today's Catholic politicians. (Life Stories)

In new documentary, Mario Cuomo is a stark contrast to today's Catholic politicians

In the forthcoming documentary "Mario," which recently debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival, the Catholic faith of former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo takes center stage.

Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) saves a penalty kick by Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Spiritual lessons from World Cup penalty kicks

The 2022 final between France and Argentina, widely considered one of the greatest World Cup games ever played, was decided by a penalty kick shootout. So if it happens again this year, spare a prayer for the pressure these players are under — and ask yourself how you would respond, whatever the outcome.

ByMichael O'Connell
Rachel Accurso uses her fame from her educational YouTube videos to be a passionate advocate for children’s rights. (Instagram/@msrachelforlittles)

The unshakable faith of Ms. Rachel

Having achieved worldwide fame for her educational YouTube videos, Rachel Accurso is an advocate for children's rights. Behind it all? An unshakable faith in the love of God and steadfast commitment to children.

ByJohn Grosso
composite photo church fathers

The early church fathers are showing their swag on TikTok

Videos imitating 'church fathers,' bishops and theologians who helped shape early Christianity, have been popping up across social media since late 2025. Several have drawn hundreds of thousands of views.

ByDenva Gallant, Religion News Service

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Book Reviews

Antonio Pagliarulo's 'Queer Saints' explores expanded understanding of sainthood

Book Reviews

Vance's 'Communion' explores his Catholic conversion — but dodges hard questions

The complicated embrace of US patriotism at the World Cup

A planted vegetable field with mulch film (Wikimedia Commons, Florian Gerlach [Nawaro], CC BY-SA 3.0 deed)
Columns

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Weeds, wheat and God's patience

Theologians' Corner - Images in the Gospel remind us not to lose hope. God's work may be quiet and hidden, but it is real, and it is powerful.

A statue representing one of the Stations of the Cross at the Basilica of the Holy Rosary, Bandel, West Bengal. More than 90% of pilgrims visiting the shrine are Hindus. (Thomas Scaria)

Indian lay group slams mob intimidation of nuns in West Bengal

The harassment of Catholic nuns in West Bengal reflects a growing climate of hostility toward Christians since a pro-Hindu party came to power in the state in May, a prominent lay Catholic group has said.

ByUCA News
Stained glass windows of Magnificat Chapel at the motherhouse of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary in Villa Maria, Pennsylvania. (Eilis McCulloh)
Columns

Have the courage to know where you stand

It's about calling attention to what is happening around us. It's about celebrating together and mourning together. It's about bearing witness together.

By
Sr. Catherine Lucia Phoebe Addington of the Daughters of St. Paul in Alexandria, Virginia, is pictured kneeling in prayer during her profession of vows in Boston Feb. 14, 2026. (OSV News/Courtesy of Daughters of St. Paul)

Meet 4 religious sisters dedicating their lives to God in 2026

Four religious sisters professing vows in 2026 spoke with OSV News about their vocation stories and what led them to dedicate their lives to God.

ByKatie Yoder, OSV News

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Nuns hope international spotlight from World Cup shines on Mexico's disappeared

Christian, Hindu and Muslim pilgrims seek the divine feminine in this East India Marian shrine

Indian congregation attracts vocations among Indigenous communities