Florida Catholic bishops urge DeSantis to stay two executions set for July 28 CRS receives State Department funds to ‘significantly expand’ humanitarian aid to Cuba Pope Leo XIV makes surprise visit to pray for peace at the tomb of St. Benedict Ukraine remains hopeful for a papal visit, ambassador says Attacks on human dignity can never be normalized, say 2 US bishops after deadly ICE shootings Local News Catherine Gietka, foundation president and mother of $183 million lottery winner, dies George P. Matysek Jr. July 21, 2026 Catherine “Kate” Gietka, who as president of her family’s charitable foundation helped direct nearly $2 million in grants to local parishes, pro-life causes and other nonprofit groups after her daughter won a $183 million lottery jackpot, died July 17. New book fills in gaps of history of Mount St. Mary’s Katie V. Jones July 20, 2026 For a university founded in 1808, Emmitsburg’s Mount St. Mary’s University has surprisingly few books telling its story. That bothered alumnus John Singleton, Class of 1986, enough that he wrote one himself. St. Katharine Drexel parishioners close the school year with a gift to eliminate public school lunch debt Rita Buettner July 20, 2026 Feeding the hungry has become an important part of the outreach at St. Katharine Drexel in Frederick. The parish is especially focused on making sure students at Yellow Springs Elementary, which is nearby, have food to eat on the weekend. Radio Interview: Archbishop Lori and Cardinal Dolan discuss Catholics in civic life Catholic Review Staff July 20, 2026 With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Archbishop William E. Lori is inviting Catholics and all people of goodwill to reflect on the relationship between faith, civic life and the common good. In this episode of Catholic Review Radio, we share excerpts from the first installment of Archbishop Lori’s new In Charity and Truth podcast series, inspired by his pastoral letter, In Charity and Truth: Toward a Renewed Political Culture. More Local News World News Florida Catholic bishops urge DeSantis to stay two executions set for July 28 Kate Scanlon July 22, 2026 The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops on July 21 urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay two executions scheduled for July 28. CRS receives State Department funds to ‘significantly expand’ humanitarian aid to Cuba Gina Christian July 22, 2026 Catholic Relief Services is welcoming federal support that will help “significantly expand” humanitarian aid to Cuba, as the Caribbean nation battles multiple crises. Pope Leo XIV makes surprise visit to pray for peace at the tomb of St. Benedict Courtney Mares July 21, 2026 Pope Leo XIV made a surprise visit to the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino July 20, where he prayed for peace at the tomb of St. Benedict. Ukraine remains hopeful for a papal visit, ambassador says Junno Arocho Esteves July 21, 2026 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his government’s representative to the Holy See are hopeful that Pope Leo XIV will visit Ukraine despite no firm indication from the Vatican that a visit is in the works. More World News Commentary The Joy of a Train Ride Rita Buettner July 21, 2026 Trains are magical, and steam locomotives are full of history. And a train ride is exhilarating. The growing weaponization of the abortion pill Katie Yoder July 21, 2026 Rosalie Markezich smiled when she realized she was pregnant in 2023. The young woman from Louisiana waited a week before telling her then-boyfriend, who was initially supportive. Then, she says, he changed his mind. Question Corner: Are weddings at SSPX chapels valid? Jenna Marie Cooper July 21, 2026 What is the current situation with marriages and the SSPX? I have heard different things about whether or not weddings at SSPX chapels are valid. Sheen remembered Archbishop William E. Lori July 20, 2026 Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was a prominent priest and bishop of the 20th century. He was a brilliant philosophy professor at The Catholic University of America, the kind whose lectures drew students from all over campus. In the 1930s and ’40s, he hosted a weekly national radio program, “The Catholic Hour.” Millions listened to his talks. Dogs Go to Heaven Rita Buettner July 16, 2026 Maybe they’re chasing squirrels or enjoying steaks every day. Maybe they’re spending time with our loved ones who’ve gone before us. More Commentary Featured Video Should the Catholic Church rethink just war theory? Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of Washington says the topic was discussed during the recent consistory of cardinals in Rome, where he argued the Church’s teaching needs to be revisited in light of modern conflict.
Catherine Gietka, foundation president and mother of $183 million lottery winner, dies George P. Matysek Jr. July 21, 2026 Catherine “Kate” Gietka, who as president of her family’s charitable foundation helped direct nearly $2 million in grants to local parishes, pro-life causes and other nonprofit groups after her daughter won a $183 million lottery jackpot, died July 17.
New book fills in gaps of history of Mount St. Mary’s Katie V. Jones July 20, 2026 For a university founded in 1808, Emmitsburg’s Mount St. Mary’s University has surprisingly few books telling its story. That bothered alumnus John Singleton, Class of 1986, enough that he wrote one himself.
St. Katharine Drexel parishioners close the school year with a gift to eliminate public school lunch debt Rita Buettner July 20, 2026 Feeding the hungry has become an important part of the outreach at St. Katharine Drexel in Frederick. The parish is especially focused on making sure students at Yellow Springs Elementary, which is nearby, have food to eat on the weekend.
Radio Interview: Archbishop Lori and Cardinal Dolan discuss Catholics in civic life Catholic Review Staff July 20, 2026 With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Archbishop William E. Lori is inviting Catholics and all people of goodwill to reflect on the relationship between faith, civic life and the common good. In this episode of Catholic Review Radio, we share excerpts from the first installment of Archbishop Lori’s new In Charity and Truth podcast series, inspired by his pastoral letter, In Charity and Truth: Toward a Renewed Political Culture.
Florida Catholic bishops urge DeSantis to stay two executions set for July 28 Kate Scanlon July 22, 2026 The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops on July 21 urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to stay two executions scheduled for July 28.
CRS receives State Department funds to ‘significantly expand’ humanitarian aid to Cuba Gina Christian July 22, 2026 Catholic Relief Services is welcoming federal support that will help “significantly expand” humanitarian aid to Cuba, as the Caribbean nation battles multiple crises.
Pope Leo XIV makes surprise visit to pray for peace at the tomb of St. Benedict Courtney Mares July 21, 2026 Pope Leo XIV made a surprise visit to the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino July 20, where he prayed for peace at the tomb of St. Benedict.
Ukraine remains hopeful for a papal visit, ambassador says Junno Arocho Esteves July 21, 2026 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his government’s representative to the Holy See are hopeful that Pope Leo XIV will visit Ukraine despite no firm indication from the Vatican that a visit is in the works.
The Joy of a Train Ride Rita Buettner July 21, 2026 Trains are magical, and steam locomotives are full of history. And a train ride is exhilarating.
The growing weaponization of the abortion pill Katie Yoder July 21, 2026 Rosalie Markezich smiled when she realized she was pregnant in 2023. The young woman from Louisiana waited a week before telling her then-boyfriend, who was initially supportive. Then, she says, he changed his mind.
Question Corner: Are weddings at SSPX chapels valid? Jenna Marie Cooper July 21, 2026 What is the current situation with marriages and the SSPX? I have heard different things about whether or not weddings at SSPX chapels are valid.
Sheen remembered Archbishop William E. Lori July 20, 2026 Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was a prominent priest and bishop of the 20th century. He was a brilliant philosophy professor at The Catholic University of America, the kind whose lectures drew students from all over campus. In the 1930s and ’40s, he hosted a weekly national radio program, “The Catholic Hour.” Millions listened to his talks.
Dogs Go to Heaven Rita Buettner July 16, 2026 Maybe they’re chasing squirrels or enjoying steaks every day. Maybe they’re spending time with our loved ones who’ve gone before us.
