Washington Roundup: US-Iran MOU begins; SCOTUS takes up ICE bond hearings; FDA abortion suit filing Pope Leo XIV tells American teens true joy isn’t found in ‘endless scrolling’ on social media Pope Leo XIV brings dad joke energy to the papacy Vance’s new book ‘Communion’ details his religious and political conversions Pope Leo XIV meets Peru’s president, discusses possible November visit Local News Deacon Sullivan responds to faith first Katie V. Jones June 18, 2026 Deacon Sullivan said public service “runs deep” in his family. While he himself is not a first responder, he has found his own role through his ministry. As a seminarian in Bel Air, he was the chaplain for the Bel Air Police Department. In March 2025, he became a chaplain for the Baltimore City Fire Department. Terry Nolan Jr. becomes Mount Carmel’s first BCL Hall of Famer, joins class of 12 James Haupt June 17, 2026 Terry Nolan Jr. will be one of 12 honorees at the 2026 BCL Hall of Fame banquet, becoming the first-ever Mount Carmel alum inducted – a distinction that caps a career that took him from BCL standout to Division I scorer at three schools. Sister Joseph Patrica Ann Ash dies at 83 Catholic Review Staff June 17, 2026 A funeral Mass for Sister of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill (formerly Sister St. Lawrence) was offered June 5 at St. Joseph Villa in Philadelphia. Sister Joseph Patricia died May 22. Deacon Connor Schmidt believes in saying ‘yes’ as he nears finish line Gerry Jackson June 17, 2026 “I think I’m looking forward to the ways the Lord works through me to give hope and joy to people,” Deacon Schmidt said. “The Lord wants to give us good things. It’s inspiring that I might be able to provide some of that hope and joy through the sacraments.” More Local News World News Washington Roundup: US-Iran MOU begins; SCOTUS takes up ICE bond hearings; FDA abortion suit filing Kate Scanlon June 20, 2026 The Trump administration signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, with Iranian officials, a tentative framework to end the war in Iran, but uncertainty remained about an end to the conflict. Pope Leo XIV tells American teens true joy isn’t found in ‘endless scrolling’ on social media Courtney Mares June 20, 2026 Pope Leo XIV has a message for American teens gathered this summer at the Steubenville Youth Conferences: True joy is not found “spending hours in front of a screen or endlessly scrolling on social media.” Pope Leo XIV brings dad joke energy to the papacy Courtney Mares June 19, 2026 Pope Leo XIV may carry the weight of guiding 1.4 billion souls, but the Holy Father is not above a good dad joke. Vance’s new book ‘Communion’ details his religious and political conversions Kate Scanlon June 18, 2026 Vice President JD Vance’s new book, “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith,” is a story of several of his conversions: from Protestant Christian to atheist to Christian again as a Catholic; from Appalachia to Washington; from a vocal skeptic of President Donald Trump to his running mate. More World News Commentary Saving your news Christopher Gunty June 18, 2026 The Kiplinger Program based at Ohio University in Athens each year hosts a fellowship with a different theme. This year, that was “Saving Local News,” with an emphasis on concrete solutions for community news outlets. Catholic Review editor Christopher Gunty was selected as a fellow for this year’s program. The SSPX leadership against Scripture and Tradition George Weigel June 18, 2026 The Holy See has declared that, if the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) proceeds with the ordination of bishops in July without a papal mandate, those involved in these illicit ordinations are automatically (latae sententiae) excommunicated – that is, excommunicated by their own acts. A Dominican, a lawyer and a priest walk into a classroom … Jenny Kraska June 18, 2026 Fifty years ago, a young Dominican friar from Baltimore stepped forward to place his life into the hands of the Church. In doing so, Father D. Reginald Whitt did what every priest does at ordination: he offered not simply his talents or ambitions, but his very self. Half a century later, countless former students, colleagues, parishioners and friends can testify that the gift he offered has multiplied beyond measure. In praise of fathers Greg Erlandson June 17, 2026 There is a lot of handwringing going on about the state of manhood these days. Maybe this Father’s Day, we can focus on what’s good about men who are fathers. Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest? Jenna Marie Cooper June 16, 2026 “Non-Catholic wedding” is a very broad term that can refer to a number of scenarios. In some of these scenarios, there is no reason why a Catholic, even a Catholic priest or deacon, should feel the need to decline an invitation to attend as a guest. But other “non-Catholic weddings” would be more of a concern. More Commentary Featured Video The U.S. bishops consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Live from the USCCB Spring Plenary Assembly in Orlando, this historic Mass invites parishes and Catholics around the country to join the bishops in consecrating our nation to the Sacred Heart. Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori was the homilist.
Deacon Sullivan responds to faith first Katie V. Jones June 18, 2026 Deacon Sullivan said public service “runs deep” in his family. While he himself is not a first responder, he has found his own role through his ministry. As a seminarian in Bel Air, he was the chaplain for the Bel Air Police Department. In March 2025, he became a chaplain for the Baltimore City Fire Department.
Terry Nolan Jr. becomes Mount Carmel’s first BCL Hall of Famer, joins class of 12 James Haupt June 17, 2026 Terry Nolan Jr. will be one of 12 honorees at the 2026 BCL Hall of Fame banquet, becoming the first-ever Mount Carmel alum inducted – a distinction that caps a career that took him from BCL standout to Division I scorer at three schools.
Sister Joseph Patrica Ann Ash dies at 83 Catholic Review Staff June 17, 2026 A funeral Mass for Sister of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill (formerly Sister St. Lawrence) was offered June 5 at St. Joseph Villa in Philadelphia. Sister Joseph Patricia died May 22.
Deacon Connor Schmidt believes in saying ‘yes’ as he nears finish line Gerry Jackson June 17, 2026 “I think I’m looking forward to the ways the Lord works through me to give hope and joy to people,” Deacon Schmidt said. “The Lord wants to give us good things. It’s inspiring that I might be able to provide some of that hope and joy through the sacraments.”
Washington Roundup: US-Iran MOU begins; SCOTUS takes up ICE bond hearings; FDA abortion suit filing Kate Scanlon June 20, 2026 The Trump administration signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, with Iranian officials, a tentative framework to end the war in Iran, but uncertainty remained about an end to the conflict.
Pope Leo XIV tells American teens true joy isn’t found in ‘endless scrolling’ on social media Courtney Mares June 20, 2026 Pope Leo XIV has a message for American teens gathered this summer at the Steubenville Youth Conferences: True joy is not found “spending hours in front of a screen or endlessly scrolling on social media.”
Pope Leo XIV brings dad joke energy to the papacy Courtney Mares June 19, 2026 Pope Leo XIV may carry the weight of guiding 1.4 billion souls, but the Holy Father is not above a good dad joke.
Vance’s new book ‘Communion’ details his religious and political conversions Kate Scanlon June 18, 2026 Vice President JD Vance’s new book, “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith,” is a story of several of his conversions: from Protestant Christian to atheist to Christian again as a Catholic; from Appalachia to Washington; from a vocal skeptic of President Donald Trump to his running mate.
Saving your news Christopher Gunty June 18, 2026 The Kiplinger Program based at Ohio University in Athens each year hosts a fellowship with a different theme. This year, that was “Saving Local News,” with an emphasis on concrete solutions for community news outlets. Catholic Review editor Christopher Gunty was selected as a fellow for this year’s program.
The SSPX leadership against Scripture and Tradition George Weigel June 18, 2026 The Holy See has declared that, if the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) proceeds with the ordination of bishops in July without a papal mandate, those involved in these illicit ordinations are automatically (latae sententiae) excommunicated – that is, excommunicated by their own acts.
A Dominican, a lawyer and a priest walk into a classroom … Jenny Kraska June 18, 2026 Fifty years ago, a young Dominican friar from Baltimore stepped forward to place his life into the hands of the Church. In doing so, Father D. Reginald Whitt did what every priest does at ordination: he offered not simply his talents or ambitions, but his very self. Half a century later, countless former students, colleagues, parishioners and friends can testify that the gift he offered has multiplied beyond measure.
In praise of fathers Greg Erlandson June 17, 2026 There is a lot of handwringing going on about the state of manhood these days. Maybe this Father’s Day, we can focus on what’s good about men who are fathers.
Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest? Jenna Marie Cooper June 16, 2026 “Non-Catholic wedding” is a very broad term that can refer to a number of scenarios. In some of these scenarios, there is no reason why a Catholic, even a Catholic priest or deacon, should feel the need to decline an invitation to attend as a guest. But other “non-Catholic weddings” would be more of a concern.
