National Catholic Reporter

March 1, 2026: Second Sunday in Lent Scripture for Life: The story of the Transfiguration bids us to let go of inadequate images of God in order to discover something new. Free of our preconceptions, we can be surprised by God's unimagin...

The story of the Transfiguration bids us to let go of inadequate images of God in order to discover something new. Free of our preconceptions, we can be surprised by God's unimaginable designs.

Santa Fe Archbishop John Wester on why he's imploring the White House to change course on immigration, why he sees this as "a Bonhoeffer moment," and why Catholics must keep speaking up. Read more at @ncronline.bsky.social: www.ncronline.org/news/border-...

Catholic bishops, women religious urge Supreme Court to oppose Trump's citizenship order The U.S. bishops' conference and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network filed one brief, while several U.S. women's religious orders, Hope Border Institute and Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justic...

The U.S. bishops' conference and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network filed one brief, while several U.S. women's religious orders, Hope Border Institute and Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice filed another. https://bit.ly/4rBjLyx

Catholic legal network's coalition challenges key claim blocking immigration from 75 countries A Catholic legal network and other opponents of the Trump administration's suspension of immigration from 75 countries are calling into question a key claim the government made in support of that poli...

A Catholic legal network and other opponents of the Trump administration's suspension of immigration from 75 countries are calling into question a key claim the government made in support of that policy.

Professor withdraws from Notre Dame institute appointment after criticism Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend and several other bishops said Susan Ostermann's support for abortion rights  caused "scandal to the faithful of our diocese and beyond."

A professor at the University of Notre Dame has declined a research appointment at the school, following weeks of outcry from students, staff and several U.S. Catholic bishops, over writings supporting abortion rights.

Palm Beach's new shepherd ordained, installed during emotional, spiritual, joyous Mass "We are a church that is truly catholic. We have no boundaries. In this church, the true flag is the love of Jesus Christ" Palm Beach Bishop-designate Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez said at his Feb. 24 ins...

"We are a church that is truly catholic. We have no boundaries. In this church, the true flag is the love of Jesus Christ" Palm Beach Bishop-designate Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez said at his Feb. 24 installation Mass.

As 'border czar' challenges Pope Leo, Archbishop Wester warns of 'Bonhoeffer moment' Two U.S. Catholics, 'border czar' Tom Homan and Archbishop John Wester, agree that immigration remains a challenge — but each has starkly different viewpoints about what their faith demands of them du...

Two prominent U.S. Catholics agree that immigration remains a daunting challenge — but each has starkly different viewpoints about what their faith demands of them during this moment.

The Vatican's 'no' to Trump Board of Peace offers clear warning "The message is clear," writes Joshua Villanueva. "Peace that depends on a single figure may move fast, but it will not last."

"The message is clear," writes Joshua Villanueva. "Peace that depends on a single figure may move fast, but it will not last."

Two prominent Catholic cardinals have expressed their profound concern and sorrow over a recently announced decision by the Society of St. Pius X — which rejects the authority of the Second Vatican Council — to ordain bishops this summer without papal approval.

US bishops end lawsuit against Trump administration over refugee resettlement Chieko Noguchi, spokesperson for the USCCB, confirmed to OSV News Feb. 24 that the conference had recovered what it was owed for its refugee resettlement work with the federal government.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has ended its lawsuit against the Trump administration over the suspension of a long-running refugee resettlement contract, with monies owed to the USCCB now recovered.

Chicago to replace Columbus statue with Mother Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants Chicago's statue of Christopher Columbus in Little Italy's Arrigo Park, taken down in 2020, will be replaced with one of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first U.S. citizen named a saint.

A pedestal for a statue of Christopher Columbus that has sat empty for five years will soon be home to a statue of the patron saint of immigrants.

At unique political moment, Catholic tradition provides prophetic way forward We should not be surprised if Catholics are asked to pay a price for what their leaders are compelled to do in service of the Gospel. Sometimes the Gospel requires that we bear a burden.

The growing response by Catholic leaders to the deliberate and persistent government cruelty imposed on the most vulnerable in our society represents a new moment for U.S. Catholics. It is a moment fraught with no small measure of risk. https://bit.ly/4cg5p1O

Spanish bishops clarify Pope Leo XIV’s remarks following media reports In a statement published Feb. 24, the bishops said that during a Nov. 17 audience, the pope spoke with them about "the risks of subjecting faith to ideologies without mentioning any specific group."

In a statement published Feb. 24, the bishops said that during a Nov. 17 audience, the pope spoke with them about "the risks of subjecting faith to ideologies without mentioning any specific group."

Bishops: Ukrainians 'resist, trust, pray' as Russia's full-scale invasion turns 4 On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Catholic bishops of the U.S. said "the people of God resist, trust, and pray" despite the "countless deaths and mill...

On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Catholic bishops of the U.S. said "the people of God resist, trust, and pray" despite the "countless deaths and millions of casualties" the brutal conflict has claimed in 12 years of warfare.

Pope Leo speaks about Vatican II teachings, and all Catholics should listen Michael Sean Winters hopes that all Catholics will take a moment and hear what Pope Leo is highlighting for us. These short catechetical reflections invite us to become a part of the renewal to which ...

Michael Sean Winters hopes that all Catholics will take a moment and hear what Pope Leo is highlighting for us. These short catechetical reflections invite us to become a part of the renewal to which Vatican II pointed.

German bishops' conference elects proponent of controversial Synodal Way as president The German bishops' conference announced that it has elected Bishop Heiner Wilmer of Hildesheim as its next president.

The German bishops' conference announced that it has elected Bishop Heiner Wilmer of Hildesheim as its next president.

Trump touts record in State of the Union, ignores furor over ICE tactics Trump devoted a significant portion of his speech to his administration's hardline immigration policies, declaring that under his watch the United States has the "strongest and most secure border in A...

Trump devoted a significant portion of his speech to his administration's hardline immigration policies, declaring that under his watch the United States has the "strongest and most secure border in American history by far."

As deportations rise, Catholic sisters shelter asylum-seeking families living in fear With arrests and deportations escalating and as work permits stall, Sisters of St. Joseph are sheltering legally present refugee families.

With arrests and deportations escalating and as work permits stall, Sisters of St. Joseph are sheltering legally present refugee families.

Music and art can save the world, if we let them Somewhere out there, I believe, is beauty for every soul that needs transforming. Such is the gift of the artist, the composer, the painter.

Somewhere out there, I believe, is beauty for every soul that needs transforming. Such is the gift of the artist, the composer, the painter.

Pope charts 2026 travel with sweeping Africa tour, visits to Spain, Monaco Nearly a year into a pontificate largely anchored in Rome, Pope Leo XIV is preparing to launch a sweeping series of international trips that will carry him across Africa, to Spain and to the tiny prin...

Nearly a year into a pontificate largely anchored in Rome, Pope Leo XIV is preparing to launch a sweeping series of international trips that will carry him across Africa, to Spain and to the tiny principality of Monaco.

Border state bishops urge immigration enforcement reform before State of the Union The statement from 20 U.S. prelates called for the restoration of asylum in the immigration system, particularly at the border, and an end to intimidation and fear tactics in enforcement efforts.

A group of U.S. bishops, most from the U.S.-Mexico border region, issued a statement Feb. 24 hours before President Donald Trump's first State of the Union address of his second term, urging several reforms to immigration enforcement.

Catholic outrage at Ostermann Notre Dame appointment an intellectual and pastoral failure "If papal teaching is invoked to defend the sanctity of life, it should also be invoked to model the intellectual seriousness Catholic moral reasoning demands," writes Karen E. Park.

"If papal teaching is invoked to defend the sanctity of life, it should also be invoked to model the intellectual seriousness Catholic moral reasoning demands," writes Karen E. Park.

'It is my duty': Amputee Ukrainian soldiers find support in US Basilian sisters In a Philadelphia suburb, Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great walk beside wounded veterans of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, offering food, prayer and solidarity as the war enters its f...

In a Philadelphia suburb, Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great walk beside wounded veterans of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, offering food, prayer and solidarity as the war enters its fifth year.

Prayer app Hallow faces backlash over Lenten partnership with Tucker Carlson Some Christian users said they planned to stop using Hallow because of its partnership with Carlson, while others praised the collaboration. Multiple users called for boycotts of the app and other spo...

Some Christian users said they planned to stop using Hallow because of its partnership with Carlson, while others praised the collaboration. Multiple users called for boycotts of the app and other sponsors.

At Curia retreat, Bishop Varden warns of Gospel's use 'as a weapon in culture wars' The Lenten season is a reminder that Christians are called to bear witness to Christ through authentic witness, not self-righteous indignation, Norwegian Trappist Bishop Erik Varden told the pope and ...

The Lenten season is a reminder that Christians are called to bear witness to Christ through authentic witness, not self-righteous indignation, Norwegian Trappist Bishop Erik Varden told the pope and Vatican officials.

Bishop Rhoades makes biblical case for Church's response to 'immense' migration crisis Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, and the secretary for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, delivered a lecture at Holy Cross College on what he described as ...

Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, and the secretary for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, delivered a lecture at Holy Cross College on what he described as a "crisis of immense proportions."

Caring for creation this Lent "Like the popes and bishops speaking up to protect God's creation, our Catholic faith calls all of us to bring our values to public life, too," Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of St. Louis writes.

"Like the popes and bishops speaking up to protect God's creation, our Catholic faith calls all of us to bring our values to public life, too," Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of St. Louis writes.

Bishops urge prudence, prayer, invoke Guadalupe's protection as violence erupts in Mexico Mexican bishops called on the faithful to follow safety protocols as violence broke out in several states following the military's killing of a powerful cartel boss.

Mexican bishops called on the faithful to follow safety protocols as violence broke out in several states following the military's killing of a powerful cartel boss.

Lent is a communal journey beyond productivity and effectiveness Often, we ask each other, "What is your chosen abstinence during Lent?" But Lent is also a communal journey to overcome the severe symptoms of alienation and loneliness amid our world governed by late...

Often, we ask each other, "What is your chosen abstinence during Lent?" But Lent is also a communal journey to overcome the severe symptoms of alienation and loneliness amid our world governed by late capitalism.

Pope renews 'heartfelt appeal' for 'immediate ceasefire' in Russia-Ukraine war Pope Leo XIV has renewed his "heartfelt appeal" for an "immediate ceasefire" in Russia's war against Ukraine and again urged dialogue "be strengthened to pave the way toward peace."

Pope Leo XIV has renewed his "heartfelt appeal" for an "immediate ceasefire" in Russia's war against Ukraine and again urged dialogue "be strengthened to pave the way toward peace."