It’s countdown to Election Day. Candidates present their closing arguments to voters as fears around voter fraud continue to circulate. Political analysts share what they’ll be looking out for on November Fifth. Pope Francis pens a new encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Synod on Synodality ends after three years of discernment – we share big takeaways and what comes next. A look at the sad reality of church closures and consolidations as attendance continues a downward trend. Plus, meet the fourteen new saints recently canonized by Pope Francis – and learn how you can help the holy souls in Purgatory during the month of November.

This Election Day, Nebraska is the only state with competing abortion-related measures on the ballot – Mark Irons takes us to Nebraska to hear how the Church is working to disentangle abortion misinformation and Human Coalition Action’s Chelsey Youman speaks to what’s at stake with pro-life ballot initiatives across 10 states. Ireland recently released a wide-ranging report from the Irish government alleging more than 2,300 instances of abuse across 308 schools – Colm Flynn speaks with survivors and the Archbishop of Dublin in a special report from Ireland. From the Ireland investigation – to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ historic settlement with clerical sex abuse survivors this week – The Catholic Project’s Stephen White discusses what the Catholic Church has done and needs to do more of to provide safeguards against abuse. And we give you an inside look at the Vatican’s restored baldacchino in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Cleanup from Hurricane Milton is underway as residents are returning home after the storm barreled across Florida – we speak with Kim Burgo of Catholic Charities USA to hear how Catholic agencies are helping lead relief efforts. It’s been one year since Hamas launched an unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel – we speak with a Catholic survivor of the Hamas attack in her first on-camera interview to hear how she says God protected her. At the start of the Synod, the Vatican’s doctrinal chief shut down speculation about further theological study into the possibility of women being ordained as deacons – Catholic News Agency correspondent Kristina Millare reports with more from the Vatican. We look back on Kamala Harris’ previous scrutiny of judicial nominees over their Knights of Columbus membership – and what it might reveal about her relationship with Catholics and Catholic beliefs. Colm Flynn takes us high up into the steeple of an Irish cathedral to hear how one musician shares the unique sound of the carillon.

Hurricane Helene has become the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina – we are joined by Charlotte Diocese’s Bishop Michael Martin, Knoxville Diocese’s Bishop Mark Beckman, and St. Petersburg Diocese’s Bishop Gregory Parkes to hear how the Catholic Church is serving those who have been hardest hit. Israel expands its operations in Lebanon – we discuss the intensifying conflict with human rights activist Dr. Habib Malik from his home in Beirut. Vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz were center stage this week for their one-and-only debate – Mark Irons reports on what stood out and The Free Press’ associate editor Madeleine Kearns and writer Leah Libresco Sargeant join us for Catholic analysis on debate topics ranging from abortion to child-tax credits and beyond. Pope Francis opened the second assembly of the Synod on Synodality in Rome this week – EWTN News’ Editorial Director Dr. Matthew Bunson reports with the details. And Roselle Reyes goes on the road with a Catholic photographer determined to take photos of every Catholic cathedral and basilica in the U.S.

Israel’s recent airstrikes in Lebanon are the deadliest in decades – as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, we speak with former U.S. diplomat Alberto Fernandez on whether the conflict may soon escalate into a broader war. Correspondent Mark Irons takes us to southern Florida where politicians on both sides of the aisle have found common ground: saving the Everglades. Bishop John Dolan of Phoenix opens up about losing three siblings to suicide and the need for mental health ministry in the Church, as National Suicide Prevention Month comes to a close. Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Cameroon sits down with Montse Alvarado to discuss his candid thoughts and hopes for the upcoming October Synod on Synodality meetings in Rome. And ahead of St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s feast day - we introduce you to singer-songwriter Marie Miller, whose latest album was inspired by The Little Flower.

This election season, correspondent Mark Irons dives into how Catholic voters should be first rooted in Church teaching as they participate in political life – and EWTN’s Vice President of Theology explains how Catholics are called to form their conscience in preparation for voting their conscience. The Vatican approves devotion at Medjugorje, while not pronouncing on the authenticity of the alleged messages – we speak with Marian experts Dr. Gloria Falcão Dodd of the University of Dayton’s International Marian Research Institute and “Miracle Hunter” Michael O’Neill to explore the significance of this Vatican announcement. Nearly four years after pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai was arrested in Hong Kong, we’re joined by his son Sebastien Lai for an update on the case. And Brazil’s patroness, Our Lady Aparecida, finally has a home in the nation’s capital – we take you to the joyous celebration.

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris squared off in their first U.S. presidential debate – Mark Irons highlights the moments of importance to Catholic voters and moral theologian Charles Camosy corrects the debate record on whether there are late-term abortions. Pope Francis has completed his most ambitious papal trip yet in Southeast Asia – we speak with Catholic News Agency’s Rome Correspondent Courtney Mares from Singapore for the highlights from the trip. Thousands of faithful have gathered in Quito, Ecuador for the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress – EWTN News Editorial Director Dr. Matthew Bunson and Fr. Thomas Petri, president of the Dominican House of Studies, share how its theme of ‘Fraternity to Heal the World’ connects to Our Eucharistic Lord. Canadian Catholics traveled to Toronto for the recent EWTN Family Celebration – Roselle Reyes recaps the family gathering and shares how Mother Angelica’s legacy continues to live on.

A new EWTN News/RealClear Opinion Research survey reveals Vice President Kamala Harris is leading former President Donald Trump among Catholic voters – Mark Irons reports on the survey’s findings and we break it all down with RealClearPolitics’ Susan Crabtree and religion and politics data analyst Dr. Ryan Burge. Pope Francis has embarked on his most ambitious papal trip yet for his Southeast Asia tour – we catch up with Catholic News Agency’s Rome Correspondent Courtney Mares in Indonesia as she travels with the Holy Father. As rage sweeps Israel following the murders of six Israeli hostages – we speak with the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America’s Nathan Diament for his reaction to the devastating tragedy. The U.S. Bishops surveyed parishes to better meet the needs of Hispanic and Latino Catholic Americans – Roselle Reyes has the details and Angelus’ Editor-in-Chief Pablo Kay shares how the Church can better respond to the growing Hispanic Catholic population.

As Pope Francis prepares for his most ambitious and demanding international trip of his papacy – Colm Flynn brings us to the four countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania that the Holy Father will visit and EWTN News Editorial Director Dr. Matthew Bunson explains the significance of this papal trip. Voters will decide on 11 abortion-related ballot measures in 10 states – Mark Irons reports on how the Catholic Church in Florida is working to defeat Amendment 4 and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s Sue Liebel breaks down the current pro-life state landscape ahead of November.

At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago where Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the presidential nomination, Democrats featured the push for abortion throughout the week – Democrats for Life of America’s Kristen Day reacts. President Biden recently announced his plan to reform the Supreme Court - we speak with Adam White, former Commissioner of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court, for analysis. The trend of banning cell phones in schools is growing – Roselle Reyes takes a look at how Catholic schools across the U.S. are dealing with the classroom distraction and we’re joined by Catholic psychologist Michael Horne to hear how cell phones can impact a child’s developing brain. As “The Wizard of Oz” celebrates its 85th anniversary, Mark Irons tells us the pro-life story surrounding Judy Garland’s birth – and the latest on the missing ruby red slippers mystery.