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?

Vatican

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.

The Latest

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

Paulina Guzik, OSV News

Looking for a star, I found my vocation's path and companions to walk with me

Nuns care for children with HIV, reintegrate them into Indian society

Thomas Scaria

Editors' Choice

People attend a Mass for illicit bishop consecrations held at the international seminary for the Society of St. Pius X in Écône, Switzerland, July 1, 2026. Organizers said more than 16,000 people attended the Mass. (NCR photo/Justin McLellan)

In Focus

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

A day after Pope Leo begged the group not to proceed with its illicit bishop consecration, the atmosphere was "a festive scene tinged with relief and charged with righteousness," writes NCR's Justin McLellan.

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Most Read Stories

Newly consecrated Society of St. Pius X bishops, from left, Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Marc Hanappier 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)
NCR Voices

#1
The Society of St. Pius X shows itself out the door

There is room for everybody within the church's embrace. Except those who refuse the embrace. It appears the Vatican has finally lost patience with these antisemitic, post-liberal, cafeteria and now former Catholics.

ByMichael Sean Winters

#2
France's traditionalist Catholics rally behind Pope Leo XIV after SSPX schism

French Catholics attached to the traditional Latin Mass but loyal to Rome are expressing deep sadness after the Society of St. Pius X consecrated four bishops without papal approval, prompting the Vatican to declare the group in schism and excommunicate six SSPX bishops.

ByOSV News
Fr. John Ubel, pastor of the Church of St. Agnes, wears the traditional biretta hat and vestments as he sits between altar servers during one of the Catholic parish's Latin Masses in St. Paul, Minn., June 28, 2026. (AP/Giovanna Dell'Orto)

#3
As Pope Leo faces SSPX schism, a Minnesota church merges old customs with fidelity

St. Agnes in St. Paul is not affiliated with SSPX, but parishioners said they were saddened by the schism and would continue to pray for a united church.

ByGiovanna Dell'orto, Associated Press

#4
In plans for 'Amoris Laetitia' meeting, Pope Leo continues to show his hand

#5
How a long-closed NYC Catholic hospital still provides lessons for the church

#6
Vatican declares SSPX bishops, priests schismatic, says lay faithful risk excommunication

Opinion

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

Guest Voices
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)

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

NCR Voices

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.

With Liberty Medal remarks, Pope Leo teaches us how to read the Constitution

Guest Voices

Podcast: 'What kind of people does God intend us to be?' asks Wes Howard-Brook

Guest Voices
Newly consecrated Society of St. Pius X bishops, from left, Pascal Schreiber, Michael Goldade, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry and Marc Hanappier 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)

The Society of St. Pius X shows itself out the door

NCR Voices

There is room for everybody within the church's embrace. Except those who refuse the embrace. It appears the Vatican has finally lost patience with these antisemitic, post-liberal, cafeteria and now former Catholics.

Vatican

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.

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
Pope Leo XIV poses for a photo with two young boys at a lunch with vulnerable people from the Diocese of Rome at Borgo Laudato Si, in the pontifical gardens of Castel Gandolfo, Italy, July 11, 2026. (OSV News/Vatican Media/Simone Risoluti)
Vatican News

Pope Leo shares meal with vulnerable guests at Castel Gandolfo

About 200 people from the Diocese of Rome participated in "Lunch with the Pope" July 11, "a day of welcome and fraternity" within the Pontifical Gardens of Castel Gandolfo.

ByPaulina Guzik, OSV News
People attend a Mass for illicit bishop consecrations held at the international seminary for the Society of St. Pius X in Écône, Switzerland, July 1, 2026. Organizers said more than 16,000 people attended the Mass. (NCR photo/Justin McLellan)
View from the Vatican

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

A day after Pope Leo begged the group not to proceed with its illicit bishop consecration, the atmosphere was "a festive scene tinged with relief and charged with righteousness," writes NCR's Justin McLellan.

ByJustin McLellan

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Vatican News

Pope visits US embassy July 4 for discussion on peace and freedom, with a side of apple pie

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EarthBeat

In this file photo, a statue of Henry David Thoreau stands outside a replica of his cabin near the shores of Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
Soul Seeing

Could Henry David Thoreau be a synodal conversation partner?

Soul Seeing - As we struggle both individually and collectively as a church to figure out synodality, might Henry David Thoreau be another voice we need to heed?

Catholic leaders, aid workers respond to Venezuela earthquakes

Catholic leaders and organizations in the U.S. continue to aid Venezuela as that nation recovers from two deadly earthquakes that struck seconds apart June 24.

ByGina Christian, OSV News

Renewable energy investments are a moral and economic imperative

Ordinary families are being asked to carry the costs of an energy system that enriches a few while leaving communities everywhere vulnerable to conflict, instability and rising prices. 

ByBridget Moix, Religion News Service
Workers remove trash from a clam-farming area in Vinh An, Vietnam, on June 17, 2026. Farmers say plastic waste and other flood-borne debris have contributed to declining harvests. (Joachim Pham)

As plastic chokes Vietnam's seas, people of faith cast their nets for hope

Vietnam is among the five largest contributors to marine plastic pollution globally. For local fishing communities, the consequences are becoming impossible to ignore. Every trip brings encounters with floating debris.

ByJoachim Pham

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Reeling from Venezuela's earthquakes, churches rush to inspect buildings, distribute supplies

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

Bishops plan Mass on pilgrimage mountain Trump administration seeks to seize

Culture

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.

hands clasped and holding small cross/rosary
Book Reviews

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

A new book argues that many historical figures who challenged cultural expectations can serve as spiritual models regardless of whether they were formally recognized by the Catholic Church. 

ByCamillo Barone
U.S. Vice President JD Vance attends a Good Friday service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 18, 2025. (AP/Alessandra Tarantino)
Book Reviews

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

NCR Book Club: Vice President JD Vance's new book offers a window into why he decided to become Catholic but stops short of exploring how his newfound faith affects his worldview.

ByMichael J. O'Loughlin
U.S. fans react in Portland, Ore., July 6, 2026, after the United States was eliminated from the FIFA World Cup. The United States men's national soccer team ended its run following a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the teams' round of 16 game. (OSV News/Reuters/Denny Medley)

The complicated embrace of US patriotism at the World Cup

In a time when patriotism feels complicated, the World Cup has given us a chance to root for something overtly, unapologetically American. Until doing so — yet again — felt tainted.

ByMichael O'Connell

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Religious groups are more prepared for aliens than you think

People hold placards reading, "Vote for care. Not euthanasia," during a demonstration in Paris Feb. 16, 2026, as France debates a bill to legalize "assisted dying." (OSV News/Reuters/Benoit Tessier)

Monday Starter: French vote on euthanasia law raises concerns for Little Sisters of the Poor

Plus, Talitha Kum names new North America representative, and Network Catholic social justice lobby launches voter engagement and education campaign.

Children from the Infant Jesus Children's Home and Dinasevanasabha nuns enjoy a beach in Mangaluru, southern India, with the Dinasevanasabha (Servants of the Poor) nuns. (Thomas Scaria)

Nuns care for children with HIV, reintegrate them into Indian society

In keeping with their charism of helping the downtrodden and outcast, the Dinasevanasabha nuns run the Infant Jesus Children's Home, a center for children with HIV/AIDS in Bengaluru, southern India.

ByThomas Scaria
This illustration shows a red dwarf star orbited by a hypothetical exoplanet. (Unsplash/NASA Hubble Space Telescope/NASA/ESA/G. Bacon)
Columns

Looking for a star, I found my vocation's path and companions to walk with me

How often, in the search for our vocation, our dreams, or even God himself, do we become so intent on finding one great star that we fail to see the small lights that appear along our way?

By
"The Sower" (1888) by Vincent van Gogh (Artvee)
Columns

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Sow the seeds, build the kingdom of God

Theologians' Corner - The parable of the sower "illustrates the life experience of women of faith who have become aware of the ways the patriarchal world has marginalized and oppressed us," writes Sarah González López.

By

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Indian nuns help over 1,000 orphaned children find families through adoption

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