OSV Newscast

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for March 11, 2025. In this episode: Pope Francis continues to show progress in recovering from severe respiratory issues, even participating by video link in a Vatican Lenten retreat, although he remains hospitalized. The number of Australia's Catholics is set to grow, with a record 384 new members entering the Church this coming Easter. Mexico's Catholic bishops are calling for unity and dialogue as their nation faces a number of internal and domestic challenges, including a "culture of death" and Trump tariff threats. The Archdiocese of Denver is preparing for the 2033 extraordinary Jubilee Year, which will mark the 2,000th anniversary of Christ's passion, death and resurrection, with a nine-year novena. The national Cristo Rey network of Catholic high schools honors its "40 Under 40" alumni, whose lives are distinguished by leadership in a number of industries and by service to others. Tune and in visit us online at osvnews.com. 

Read the stories in this podcast:

Pope Francis Health Update

Australia Catholic Surge

Mexico Catholic Bishops' Call

Denver 9-Year Novena

Cristo Rey "40 Under 40"

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for March 10, 2025. In this episode: Dr. Tim Millea of the Catholic Medical Association told OSV News that efforts to promote Restorative Reproductive Medicine as an alternative to infertility interventions such as IVF, which is against church teaching, require greater awareness -- especially from the Trump administration, which as expanded IVF access -- in order to gain traction. Christian leaders in Syria are condemning violent clashes between pro-Assad militants and other forces that have left hundreds of Alawite Muslim and Christian civilians dead. Belmont Abbey College is expanding its campus permanently into the nation's capital. The surviving programs of the former U.S. Agency for International Development -- about 18% of the former agency's efforts -- will now be overseen by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The cuts to USAID have left a number of faith-based organizations such as Catholic Relief Services and those they serve reeling. Pope Francis participated by video link in portions of the Lenten retreat for senior officials of the Roman Curia and other Vatican officials, with his condition showing improvement though still requiring continued hospitalization. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

Restorative Reproductive Medicine

Syria Violence

Belmont Abbey College

USAID and Catholic Relief Services Collection

Pope Francis and Lenten Retreat

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for March 7, 2025. In this episode: Catholic anti-death penalty advocates call for clemency for a South Carolina death row inmate set to be executed by firing squad. Pope Francis remains in the hospital in stable but "complex" condition, with his prognosis "guarded." Catholic nonprofits impacted by the Trump administration aid freeze are struggling, and even those operating without federal funding say the suspension will have an impact. A pastoral center in Myanmar has been bombed, but parishioners--none of whom were injured--remain steadfast in their faith despite dangerous conditions. The annual St. Joseph novena for those on the path of adoption begins March 10, ahead of the feast day for the beloved saint, who is the foster father of Jesus. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

Firing Squad
https://www.osvnews.com/south-carolina-to-carry-out-execution-by-firing-squad/

Catholic NGOs
https://www.osvnews.com/as-funding-freeze-hits-some-catholic-agencies-others-operate-minus-government-money/

Myanmar Church Center Bombing
https://www.osvnews.com/pastoral-center-in-northern-myanmar-among-latest-catholic-sites-bombed-by-governing-military-junta/

St. Joseph Adoption Novena
https://www.osvnews.com/st-joseph-novena-march-10-18-guides-those-on-the-path-to-adoption/

Pope Francis Health Update
https://www.osvnews.com/popes-complex-condition-remains-stable-he-continues-to-rest-work/

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for Thursday, March 6, 2025. In this episode: Pope Francis releases a short audio message from the hospital, which was read before tonight's recitation of the rosary in St. Peter's Square for his recovery. Speaking in Spanish and with some difficulty, the pope expressed his gratitude for the prayers of faithful. Rice Bowl, the annual Lenten prayer and relief campaign of Catholic Relief Services, marks its 50th year, and founder Msgr. Robert Coll--who started the effort in his Pennsylvania parish in 1975--shared with OSV News his thoughts on his history and significance. Vatican doctrinal head Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández released the text of his February talk at a German university, in which he stressed that the Church's teaching on human sexuality is based on the inalienable human dignity of each person. Dalit Catholics are having their historic case against discrimination heard by India's Supreme Court. Latinos in Los Angeles are leaning on their faith as they look to rebuild their livelihoods after the devastating wildfires in January. Tune in and visit us at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

Pope Francis' Hospital Message
https://www.osvnews.com/doctors-report-popes-condition-is-stable/

Cardinal Fernández on Dignity, Sexuality
https://www.osvnews.com/cardinal-dignity-lies-at-heart-of-churchs-stance-on-gender/
Read the text of Cardinal Fernández's talk in Italian and German at https://www.doctrinafidei.va/en/attivita/news/2025/die-ontologische-wuerde-der-person.html

Rice Bowl at 50
https://www.osvnews.com/amid-u-s-foreign-aid-freeze-crs-rice-bowl-could-be-in-its-strongest-moment-says-founder/

Dalit Catholics Court Case
https://www.osvnews.com/indias-top-court-to-hear-appeal-to-end-dalit-oppression-in-parish/

Latino Faith after LA Fires
https://www.osvnews.com/latinos-cling-to-faith-after-losing-jobs-due-to-la-fires-find-blessings-among-the-hardships/

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for Wednesday, March 5, 2025, which is Ash Wednesday for Roman Catholics. In this episode: Pope Francis releases the text of his Ash Wednesday homily while he remains hospitalized for severe respiratory illness. Maronite Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, head of the U.S. bishops' international justice and peace committee, issued an Ash Wednesday message calling on Catholics to -- in Pope Francis' words -- be "neighbors without borders" and support the work of Catholic Relief Services in caring for the poor worldwide, who struggle for basic necessities. The Diocese of Kafanchan, Nigeria, confirmed the murder of Father Sylvester Okechukwu, whose body was found today amid ongoing violence against Christians in that nation. Aid to the Church in Need is focusing a Lenten campaign on raising awareness of Christian persecution worldwide. The Supreme Court denied a Trump administration request to freeze foreign aid, reverting the challenge brought against the administration back to the lower courts. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

Pope Francis Ash Wednesday
https://www.osvnews.com/pope-marks-ash-wednesday-in-hospital-receiving-ashes-eucharist/

Bishop Zaidan on Lent for the Poor
https://www.osvnews.com/bishop-zaidan-lent-a-call-to-support-poor-vulnerable-as-neighbors-without-borders/

Murdered Nigerian Priest
https://www.osvnews.com/lenten-campaign-focuses-on-persecuted-christians-priests-murder-makes-message-more-urgent/

Trump Joint Session
https://www.osvnews.com/trump-touts-swift-and-unrelenting-action-on-immigration-gender-policy-in-speech-to-congress/

Supreme Court on Trump Foreign Aid Freeze
https://www.osvnews.com/supreme-court-rejects-trump-administrations-request-to-freeze-foreign-aid-payments/

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for March 4, 2025. In this episode: The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is investigating a possible Eucharistic miracle. The European Union's Catholic bishops affirm their support for Ukraine, calling for justice, accountability and the rule of law in the face of Russia's ongoing attacks. Pope Francis continues to remain in the hospital, but in stable condition, although his prognosis remains guarded. An expert on the Shroud of Turin shares his thoughts on the mysterious and miraculous cloth ahead of an upcoming conference in Australia. Eight pilgrims have been selected for the 2025 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Tune in and visit us at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

Eucharistic Miracle?

EU Bishops Back Ukraine

Pope Francis Health Update

Shroud of Turin

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage 2025

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day with the OSV Newscast for March 3, 2025. In this episode: Ukraine's Catholic bishops express their concerns about the need for both justice and peace, following the heated Feb. 28 exchange among U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Pope Francis remains in the hospital, having suffered what the Vatican called "two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency" today. The bishops along the Texas-Mexico border call for Gospel values, the common good and comprehensive immigration reform in addressing the U.S. immigration crisis. Cardinal Robert W. McElroy said a part of his heart will always be in San Diego, as he prepares to take up his new role as the Archbishop of Washington. This month, Poland honors patriots who relied on their profound Catholic faith to resist post-World War II communism in their nation. Tune in and visit us at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

Ukrainian Bishops on Trump-Zelenskyy

Pope Francis Health Update

Tex-Mex Bishops on Immigration

Cardinal McElroy's San Diego Farewell

Poland's Faith-Filled Patriots

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Gina Christian of OSV News speaks with OSV News media reviewer John Mulderig about some of the contenders for best picture at the 2025 Academy Awards. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. In this episode: Pope Francis experiences a setback in Rome's Gemelli hospital, suffering a dangerous "bronchospasm" today. He remained "alert and oriented" amid treatment, said the Vatican, adding that his prognosis is still guarded. At the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, Vice President JD Vance he was surprised by Pope Francis' criticism of Trump administration immigration policy, but said he is praying for the pope's recovery. The State Department terminated its refugee resettlement contract with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who filed suit against the Trump administration when the arrangement was first suspended. Trump foreign aid cuts could erode efforts to reduce Christian persecution, said Kelly Ryan, president of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, who noted that such persecution is a key driver of forced displacement. Venezuelan Catholics are celebrating news that the canonization cause of 19th-century doctor Blessed José Gregorio Hernández, an advocate for the poor, has been approved by Pope Francis. Tune in and listen at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

Pope Francis health downturn

National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

Trump administration ends U.S. bishops' refugee resettlement contract

Trump cuts could erode anti-Christian persecution efforts

Venezuelan Catholics celebrate new saint-to-be

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Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for Feb. 27, 2025. In this episode: Pew Research shows that Pope Francis has remained broadly popular with U.S. Catholics throughout his papacy, even among demographics differences in age, gender, Mass attendance levels and ethnicity. The pope remains at Rome's Gemelli hospital for treatment of severe respiratory illness, but the Vatican describes his condition as stable, although his prognosis remains guarded. Some Catholic policy analysts are expressing concern over proposed budget cuts by the Trump administration, which they fear will remove badly needed safety nets for the poor and vulnerable. Mexico's Catholic bishops have called Trump administration immigration policies "worrying," while Catholic outreaches to migrants are urging respect for human dignity in the treatment of those deported and displaced. The restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is now welcoming some 29,000 visitors daily, which one local bishop calls an opportunity to invite more people to the Catholic faith. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this podcast:

Pope Francis' Popularity

Pope Francis Health Update

Catholic Reax to Trump Budget Cuts

Mexico Bishops on Trump Deportations

Notre Dame Visitor Surge