Pope Leo XIV pays tribute at the cemetery and on little Joussef's grave, in Lampedusa, Sicily, southern Italy, Saturday, July 4, 2026, during a one-day pastoral visit to an island that has become a symbol of the risks faced by migrants trying to reach Europe by sea. (Pool photo/Ciro Fusco, via AP)

Pope Leo visits Lampedusa, migrant hotspot, on July 4

Vatican

Leo, who said religion must never justify discrimination, symbolically took up the mantle of his predecessor, who placed migration at the center of his pontificate by visiting the island in July 2013.

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A July 1776 printing of the Declaration of Independence: The Exeter Broadside hangs on the wall during a press preview at Sotheby's in New York City, January 17, 2025. (OSV News/Reuters/Adam Gray)

In Focus

Editorial: Fight for democracy remains urgent as US marks 250 years

The question we need to pose this July Fourth, one that previous generations of Americans have had to pose and answer, is this: What are we celebrating?

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In a combination photo Pope Leo XIV is pictured speaking in northern Italy, June 20, 2026, and Fr. Davide Pagliarani, superior general of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, is pictured in 2018 in Econe, Switzerland. (OSV News/Vatican Media/Mario Tomassetti and CPP/KNA/Jean-Matthieu Gautier)
Vatican News

#1
Pope Leo warns traditionalist Catholic group on eve of schism: 'Please turn back!'

"With a sorrowful yet hopeful heart, I feel it is my duty, through the authority received from Christ, to ask you to desist from your intended act," the pope wrote.

ByJustin McLellan
The newly consecrated SSPX bishops process to the seminary courtyard after the July1 consecration outside St. Pius X seminary, in Econe, Switzerland, July 1, 2026. (Courtesy of Society of Saint Pius X)
Vatican News

#2
Defying pope and facing excommunication, SSPX consecrates bishops at huge outdoor Mass

"We want the faith of the church in order to remain in the church, and we want the church within the faith, even if those opposed to us refuse to understand this," said the group's superior general.

ByJustin McLellan
Crowd of people viewed from above (Unsplash/Laszlo D.)

#3
Pope Leo proclaims Catholic Church's best-kept secret in 'Magnifica Humanitas'

Chapter 2 of Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, might be called the official "CliffsNotes" version of Catholic social teaching.

ByThomas Reese, Religion News Service

#4
Listening and courage: How to heal church's rift with Society of St. Pius X

#5
New archbishops say Pope Leo offers unifying message to US society, church

#6
Tales of pioneer priests recall the building of Catholic America

Opinion

Pope Leo received the Liberty Medal. Here's what 3 previous popes said on US freedom.

NCR Voices

Was George Washington Catholic? Unlikely, but his religious tolerance predated Vatican II.

Guest Voices
A July 1776 printing of the Declaration of Independence: The Exeter Broadside hangs on the wall during a press preview at Sotheby's in New York City, January 17, 2025. (OSV News/Reuters/Adam Gray)

Editorial: Fight for democracy remains urgent as US marks 250 years

Editorial

The question we need to pose this July Fourth, one that previous generations of Americans have had to pose and answer, is this: What are we celebrating?

Listening and courage: How to heal church's rift with Society of St. Pius X

Guest Voices

'Neighboring the Dear Neighbor' workshop equips Catholics to support migrants

Columns
Participants attend the June 13, 2026, workshop "Neighboring the Dear Neighbor" hosted by the Sisters of St. Joseph at their center in Cleveland. (Kaleigh Tuck-McCalla)

'Neighboring the Dear Neighbor' workshop equips Catholics to support migrants

Columns

The workshop "Neighboring the Dear Neighbor," planned and sponsored by Sr. Christine Schenk's own Congregation of St. Joseph in Cleveland, brought together groups serving migrants to share how anyone can help.

Vatican

Pope Leo XIV pays tribute at the cemetery and on little Joussef's grave, in Lampedusa, Sicily, southern Italy, Saturday, July 4, 2026, during a one-day pastoral visit to an island that has become a symbol of the risks faced by migrants trying to reach Europe by sea. (Pool photo/Ciro Fusco, via AP)

Pope Leo visits Lampedusa, migrant hotspot, on July 4

Leo, who said religion must never justify discrimination, symbolically took up the mantle of his predecessor, who placed migration at the center of his pontificate by visiting the island in July 2013.

Newly consecrated bishops, from left, Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Marc Hanappier, wearing their miters and holding their pastoral staffs, pray at the end of their consecration ceremony in a tent set up outside the Society of St. Pius X seminary in Écône, Switzerland, July 1, 2026. (AP/Baz Ratner)

After defying Pope Leo and causing schism, SSPX defends its actions

The ultraconservative Catholics insisted they were merely saving souls and were victims of an unjust sanction by the Holy See.

ByNicole Winfield, Associated Press
The Society of St. Pius X's Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta is seen July 1, 2026, in Écône, Switzerland, during a liturgical service for the consecration of SSPX bishops. Galarreta, along with Bishop Bernard Fellay of SSPX and four newly consecrated bishops were excommunicated by the Vatican July 2, as the consecration lacked the mandate of the pope and was decreed to be schismatic. (OSV News/CPP)

Canon lawyer: Vatican's SSPX schism decree necessary for church unity

Fr. Jan Dohnalik, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Kraków, Poland, said the move reflects Pope Leo XIV's episcopal motto, "In Illo uno unum"  — "In the One, we are one." 

ByPaulina Guzik, OSV News

Pope Leo overhauls Vatican finance watchdog, revises Rome vicariate reforms

Pope Leo XIV spent what is traditionally his weekly day off on Tuesday issuing a flurry of legislation and appointments June 30, overhauling the Vatican's financial watchdog agency, revising the governing structure of the Vicariate of Rome and making several appointments in the Roman Curia.

ByCourtney Mares, OSV News

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Vatican declares SSPX bishops, priests schismatic, says lay faithful risk excommunication

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Vatican News

What to know about the breakaway traditionalist Catholics defying Pope Leo XIV

EarthBeat

Pope Leo XIV calls for solidarity, prayers after deadly Venezuela quakes

Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for the victims of devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela as the death toll continues to climb and rescuers race to save people trapped under collapsed buildings.

Mount Cristo Rey protest

Bishops plan Mass on pilgrimage mountain Trump administration seeks to seize

As the Trump administration moves to seize a diocesan pilgrimage site for the border wall, bishops from New Mexico and Texas are calling on the faithful to join them for Mass on the mountain.

ByGina Christian, OSV News
A worker carries a solar panel atop the roof of Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church, in Hazard, Kentucky. The mission parish completed the solar installation in May. (Lexington Diocese/Joshua Van Cleef)

Catholic dioceses race for solar credits ahead of GOP tax law's early phaseout

Dozens of Catholic institutions across the U.S. are sprinting to develop solar projects to the point that they meet federal tax credit requirements before they go away under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

ByBrian Roewe

Archbishop calls for prayer, solidarity after twin earthquakes devastate Venezuela

The archbishop of Caracas called for prayers and solidarity after back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing over 150 people and injuring hundreds more.

ByJunno Arocho Esteves, OSV News

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

With Cuba in crisis, faith groups work to influence policy, deliver aid

A top banker tried to sway Pope Leo XIV on rare earth mining

Notre Dame study links climate change to stunted child growth in Africa

Culture

The Fairfield University Art Museum exhibition "For Which It Stands" includes these works at the university's Walsh Gallery. (Left): Danielle Scott, False Flag, 2020, photo transfer and found objects (shotgun shells) on US flag. Courtesy of the artist. © Danielle Scott. (Center): Imo Nse Imeh, and i'll be there with you, 2021, charcoal, India ink and conte crayon on unstretched canvas. Courtesy of the artist. © Imo Nse Imeh. (Right): Sara Rahbar, I don't trust you anymore, Flag #59, 2019, mixed media

At a Jesuit university, American flag art exhibit explores patriotism and protest

The wide range of reactions to the American flag through painting, photography, print, video and mixed media make the 74-piece exhibit at Fairfield University as diverse as the country itself.

Disclosure Day still

Religious groups are more prepared for aliens than you think

Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' asks: If intelligent life were to be discovered beyond Earth, would it shatter religious traditions? Most faith practitioners say no.

ByJack Jenkins, Religion News Service
Norway fans perform a viking boat row before the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Ivory Coast and Norway in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas June 30, 2026. (AP/Jessica Tobias)

On my road trip to the World Cup, the fans defined the experience

The soccer tournament "can demonstrate the pleasures of connection and offer us spaces to come together in community," writes Michael O'Connor.

ByMichael O'Connell
A portion of "St. Teresa of Avila" (1660s) by Juan Antonio De Frias y Escalante (Artvee)
Book Reviews

'What Grows in Weary Lands' is a satisfactory, if incomplete, look at monastic thought

Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren's new book attempts to translate monkish habits for Christians navigating spiritual desolation in today's comfort-seeking, digitally distracted age. 

ByJean P. Kelly

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The homilies and addresses of Pope Leo XIV are now coming to English readers

World Cup: Superstars are fun to watch, but underdogs make the sport great

New podcast explores Black Catholic resistance to Detroit's parish closures

"Entree de Jesus-Christ dans Jerusalem" (1890) by P. Bineteau (Artvee)
Columns

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Life in the Spirit and rest in Christ

Theologians' Corner - Jesus' gentleness and humility are not weaknesses. They are signs of  divine strength expressed in love.
 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission logo is seen in this illustration photo. (CNS/Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)

Catholic sisters use shareholder activism to press Palantir, GM on human rights

"Raising the moral questions at the boardroom level is so important because you don't know what the impact would be if those questions weren't on the table," said Sr. Susan Francois.

ByDan Stockman
Unhoused person on street
Columns

Disarming the way we see and learning to see anew

Horizons - "Like Jesus, we are called to walk through life doing good, seeking justice and sowing hope," writes Sr. Daylenis Lara Rodríguez. 

By
A Catholic nun accompanies a family of asylum seekers inside immigration court on Aug. 1, 2025, in New York. (AP/Olga Fedorova)

As US turns 250, Catholic nuns reaffirm values of justice that shaped their ministry

Some 191 congregations and 343 individual sisters in leadership signed a Declaration of Commitment and delivered it to Capitol Hill.

ByDan Stockman

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

My Uncle Matt and the work of remembering

Q&A with Sr. Perpetua Mutonga, reaching hearts through the media in Zambia

ICE releases Texas nun after detaining her on the way to Sunday Mass