Bishops, Christian leaders call for peace, urge diplomacy as Middle East conflict escalates Sorrow, shock, prayer for Catholics in Middle East as U.S. and Israel strike Iran amid negotiations Pope Leo warns of ‘irreparable abyss,’ if diplomacy doesn’t take over violence in Iran, Middle East USCCB president: Prayer, diplomacy needed in Middle East to avert ‘tragedy of immense proportions’ Maryland March for Life set for March 16 Local News Maryland March for Life set for March 16 George P. Matysek Jr. March 2, 2026 The annual Maryland March for Life is set for March 16, kicking off at St. Mary in Annapolis with a 5:30 p.m. Mass celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori in the church and a concurrent Christian prayer service in the school hall. A youth rally will precede the religious services 4:30-5:15 p.m. Orioles pitcher Cade Povich finds home in the Catholic Church Mark Viviano March 2, 2026 Orioles pitcher Cade Povich found fulfillment in pursuit of a deeper Christian faith, a years-long quest that led to a milestone during the Orioles 2025 season. While with the team in Minneapolis to play the Minnesota Twins, Povich and his wife, Sophia, drove 30 miles to St. Patrick Church in Hudson, Wis. Catholic Campaign for Human Development awards $96,000 in Baltimore-area grants Kevin J. Parks February 27, 2026 Four community organizations will expand access to health care, strengthen youth leadership, increase affordable housing options and improve neighborhood services in Baltimore thanks to $96,000 in grants from the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s chapter of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the official domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic bishops founded in 1970. Stations of the Cross offered for those with mental illness Katie V. Jones February 26, 2026 A special Stations of the Cross for those with mental illness will be offered March 10 at 1 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park – one of several Lenten observances at the parish, which also holds weekly Stations of the Cross on Fridays at noon and 7 p.m. More Local News World News Supreme Court temporarily blocks California policy against parental notification of gender identity Kate Scanlon March 3, 2026 The U.S. Supreme Court on March 2 temporarily blocked California from enforcing policies that generally prohibit public school teachers from notifying parents about a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity, as litigation over that policy proceeds. Young Catholics want doctrinal clarity, not adaptability, Irish bishop says Junno Arocho Esteves March 3, 2026 The next generation of young Catholics is less interested in a Church that adapts to modern culture and more drawn to one with a solid doctrinal foundation that is firmly anchored against a fragmented world, an Irish bishop said. Church can teach what’s at stake when nations choose war, not peace, cardinal says Carol Glatz March 3, 2026 In a fractured world threatened by war, Christians can strengthen their bonds of unity to show the world that peace is possible, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago said. Lebanese archbishop: Innocents are ‘paying the price’ of Middle East war Junno Arocho Esteves March 3, 2026 As the scourge of war spreads across the Middle East, including Lebanon, the ones paying the ultimate price are the innocent men, women and children who want to live in peace, said Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop Georges Iskandar of Tyre. More World News Commentary Pope Leo’s prayer to St. Francis: a call to peace in a divided world OSV News March 2, 2026 As tensions escalate following the Feb. 28 U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, we share this prayer to St. Francis of Assisi — a timeless intercessor for peace — which Pope Leo XIV shared with leaders of the Franciscan order on the beginning of the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death in January 2026. The ‘whine’ list Archbishop William E. Lori March 2, 2026 First, it’s fine to give up wine for Lent but it’s better to give up whining. Lent is the perfect time to examine ourselves. Do we whine too much? Second, let’s replace whining with mutual encouragement, bonds of charity, unity and fraternity. Do you really believe God loves you? Sister Constance Veit, L.S.P. March 1, 2026 During this Lent, I pray that we will all turn to the Cross and find there the undeniable proof of God’s personal, unconditional love. That Takes the Diaper Cake Rita Buettner February 28, 2026 When a colleague reached out to invite me to a baby shower, I started thinking about whether I had time to make a diaper cake. Is our nation losing its soul? Greg Erlandson February 27, 2026 The bishops have shown great courage in challenging this status quo of mass deportations. Recognizing the values of this country as a beacon of liberty, and recognizing the teachings of the Gospel regarding the human dignity of each person and our responsibility toward those in need, the bishops have seized a teaching moment. More Commentary Featured Video At the new Borgo Laudato Si’ center in Castel Gandolfo, which honors Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on care for creation, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago and Orthodox Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago received a private tour celebrating the beauty of God’s creation.
Maryland March for Life set for March 16 George P. Matysek Jr. March 2, 2026 The annual Maryland March for Life is set for March 16, kicking off at St. Mary in Annapolis with a 5:30 p.m. Mass celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori in the church and a concurrent Christian prayer service in the school hall. A youth rally will precede the religious services 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Orioles pitcher Cade Povich finds home in the Catholic Church Mark Viviano March 2, 2026 Orioles pitcher Cade Povich found fulfillment in pursuit of a deeper Christian faith, a years-long quest that led to a milestone during the Orioles 2025 season. While with the team in Minneapolis to play the Minnesota Twins, Povich and his wife, Sophia, drove 30 miles to St. Patrick Church in Hudson, Wis.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development awards $96,000 in Baltimore-area grants Kevin J. Parks February 27, 2026 Four community organizations will expand access to health care, strengthen youth leadership, increase affordable housing options and improve neighborhood services in Baltimore thanks to $96,000 in grants from the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s chapter of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the official domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic bishops founded in 1970.
Stations of the Cross offered for those with mental illness Katie V. Jones February 26, 2026 A special Stations of the Cross for those with mental illness will be offered March 10 at 1 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park – one of several Lenten observances at the parish, which also holds weekly Stations of the Cross on Fridays at noon and 7 p.m.
Supreme Court temporarily blocks California policy against parental notification of gender identity Kate Scanlon March 3, 2026 The U.S. Supreme Court on March 2 temporarily blocked California from enforcing policies that generally prohibit public school teachers from notifying parents about a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity, as litigation over that policy proceeds.
Young Catholics want doctrinal clarity, not adaptability, Irish bishop says Junno Arocho Esteves March 3, 2026 The next generation of young Catholics is less interested in a Church that adapts to modern culture and more drawn to one with a solid doctrinal foundation that is firmly anchored against a fragmented world, an Irish bishop said.
Church can teach what’s at stake when nations choose war, not peace, cardinal says Carol Glatz March 3, 2026 In a fractured world threatened by war, Christians can strengthen their bonds of unity to show the world that peace is possible, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago said.
Lebanese archbishop: Innocents are ‘paying the price’ of Middle East war Junno Arocho Esteves March 3, 2026 As the scourge of war spreads across the Middle East, including Lebanon, the ones paying the ultimate price are the innocent men, women and children who want to live in peace, said Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop Georges Iskandar of Tyre.
Pope Leo’s prayer to St. Francis: a call to peace in a divided world OSV News March 2, 2026 As tensions escalate following the Feb. 28 U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran, we share this prayer to St. Francis of Assisi — a timeless intercessor for peace — which Pope Leo XIV shared with leaders of the Franciscan order on the beginning of the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death in January 2026.
The ‘whine’ list Archbishop William E. Lori March 2, 2026 First, it’s fine to give up wine for Lent but it’s better to give up whining. Lent is the perfect time to examine ourselves. Do we whine too much? Second, let’s replace whining with mutual encouragement, bonds of charity, unity and fraternity.
Do you really believe God loves you? Sister Constance Veit, L.S.P. March 1, 2026 During this Lent, I pray that we will all turn to the Cross and find there the undeniable proof of God’s personal, unconditional love.
That Takes the Diaper Cake Rita Buettner February 28, 2026 When a colleague reached out to invite me to a baby shower, I started thinking about whether I had time to make a diaper cake.
Is our nation losing its soul? Greg Erlandson February 27, 2026 The bishops have shown great courage in challenging this status quo of mass deportations. Recognizing the values of this country as a beacon of liberty, and recognizing the teachings of the Gospel regarding the human dignity of each person and our responsibility toward those in need, the bishops have seized a teaching moment.
