Trump administration rule change could push asylum applicants directly to deportation proceedings In Spain, diocese pledges emergency aid as death toll rises in enclave’s border crisis Russian attack leaves 8 dead in Ukraine; suspected missile lands in Poland Israeli strike damages Christian-run hospital in Gaza Pope Leo on his ancestry, and how he’s a ‘pope who happens to be American’ Local News Sister Marie Olwell dies at 96 Catholic Review Staff July 30, 2026 A funeral Mass for Sister Marie Olwell (formerly Sister Anita Bernadette) of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill will be offered Sept. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Villa in Flourtown, Pa. Sister Marie died June 16. She was 96. Sister Eileen Davis, D.C., dies at 99 Catholic Review Staff July 28, 2026 A funeral Mass for Daughter of Charity Sister Eileen Davis was offered July 10 at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg. Sister Eileen died July 6. She was 99. New gala to honor Charles Carroll and raise funds Katie V. Jones July 28, 2026 It was during a casual conversation at a national prayer breakfast in Washington D.C. that the idea of a gala celebrating Charles Carroll, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence, started to take shape. Teens gather for AI conversation with Archbishop Lori Katie V. Jones July 28, 2026 After talking with Archbishop William E. Lori and 11 other teens about artificial intelligence, technology and faith, Benjamin Virgilio, 17, left even more convinced that while AI can process information and generate answers, it can never replicate what makes people human. More Local News World News Trump administration rule change could push asylum applicants directly to deportation proceedings Kate Scanlon July 31, 2026 The Trump administration issued a new rule July 28 that could send hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers directly into deportation proceedings, a policy change that Catholic immigration advocates warned could leave many applicants at risk of deportation before their applications are even considered. In Spain, diocese pledges emergency aid as death toll rises in enclave’s border crisis Junno Arocho Esteves July 31, 2026 The Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta offered emergency resources to civil authorities July 31 as more than 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, straining local infrastructure. Russian attack leaves 8 dead in Ukraine; suspected missile lands in Poland Junno Arocho Esteves July 31, 2026 An overnight July 30 onslaught of Russian missiles and drones struck Ukraine, leaving eight people, including several children, dead and dozens wounded in the aftermath. Israeli strike damages Christian-run hospital in Gaza OSV News July 31, 2026 The Catholic Near East Welfare Association-Pontifical Mission in Lebanon and Syria reported that an Israeli airstrike on a residential apartment directly adjacent to CNEWA-supported Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in the center of Gaza City damaged hospital facilities late July 29. More World News Commentary The Summer Reading List: 2026 George Weigel July 29, 2026 Herewith, some suggestions for your own reading pleasure this summer, which I hope you’ll pass along to friends: A Birthday Glimpse of Heaven Rita Buettner July 28, 2026 That room full of people singing to me brought home for me how connected we all are to one another in the Communion of Saints.blog Bob Dylan makes me want to be 80. Or even 85. Elizabeth Scalia July 28, 2026 “The best thing about being 80 is that you outlive the clocks that have been chasing you. It’s freedom from that lie than anything was ever under control.” — Bob Dylan Question Corner: Would it be wrong for a Catholic to attend a nondenominational praise and worship night? Jenna Marie Cooper July 28, 2026 The nondenominational church near my house offers praise and worship nights with music. I’ve been interested in attending, not because I want to convert, but because I like that style of music and any opportunity to join in prayer with others. Would it be wrong for a Catholic to attend this event? Ukraine and the limits of dialogue George Weigel July 22, 2026 Russian strikes are deliberately aimed at civilian sites, and while Ukrainian air defenses shoot down some of the missiles and drones, others get through. Innocents are killed and families lose their homes because of this campaign to intentionally inflict civilian casualties. More Commentary Featured Video Father Daniel Galadza, a Ukrainian Greek Catholic priest, liturgical scholar and professor at the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome, reflects on how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Russian Orthodox Church’s support for the war have transformed relations between Ukrainian and Russian Christianity.
Sister Marie Olwell dies at 96 Catholic Review Staff July 30, 2026 A funeral Mass for Sister Marie Olwell (formerly Sister Anita Bernadette) of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill will be offered Sept. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Villa in Flourtown, Pa. Sister Marie died June 16. She was 96.
Sister Eileen Davis, D.C., dies at 99 Catholic Review Staff July 28, 2026 A funeral Mass for Daughter of Charity Sister Eileen Davis was offered July 10 at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg. Sister Eileen died July 6. She was 99.
New gala to honor Charles Carroll and raise funds Katie V. Jones July 28, 2026 It was during a casual conversation at a national prayer breakfast in Washington D.C. that the idea of a gala celebrating Charles Carroll, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence, started to take shape.
Teens gather for AI conversation with Archbishop Lori Katie V. Jones July 28, 2026 After talking with Archbishop William E. Lori and 11 other teens about artificial intelligence, technology and faith, Benjamin Virgilio, 17, left even more convinced that while AI can process information and generate answers, it can never replicate what makes people human.
Trump administration rule change could push asylum applicants directly to deportation proceedings Kate Scanlon July 31, 2026 The Trump administration issued a new rule July 28 that could send hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers directly into deportation proceedings, a policy change that Catholic immigration advocates warned could leave many applicants at risk of deportation before their applications are even considered.
In Spain, diocese pledges emergency aid as death toll rises in enclave’s border crisis Junno Arocho Esteves July 31, 2026 The Diocese of Cádiz and Ceuta offered emergency resources to civil authorities July 31 as more than 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, straining local infrastructure.
Russian attack leaves 8 dead in Ukraine; suspected missile lands in Poland Junno Arocho Esteves July 31, 2026 An overnight July 30 onslaught of Russian missiles and drones struck Ukraine, leaving eight people, including several children, dead and dozens wounded in the aftermath.
Israeli strike damages Christian-run hospital in Gaza OSV News July 31, 2026 The Catholic Near East Welfare Association-Pontifical Mission in Lebanon and Syria reported that an Israeli airstrike on a residential apartment directly adjacent to CNEWA-supported Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in the center of Gaza City damaged hospital facilities late July 29.
The Summer Reading List: 2026 George Weigel July 29, 2026 Herewith, some suggestions for your own reading pleasure this summer, which I hope you’ll pass along to friends:
A Birthday Glimpse of Heaven Rita Buettner July 28, 2026 That room full of people singing to me brought home for me how connected we all are to one another in the Communion of Saints.blog
Bob Dylan makes me want to be 80. Or even 85. Elizabeth Scalia July 28, 2026 “The best thing about being 80 is that you outlive the clocks that have been chasing you. It’s freedom from that lie than anything was ever under control.” — Bob Dylan
Question Corner: Would it be wrong for a Catholic to attend a nondenominational praise and worship night? Jenna Marie Cooper July 28, 2026 The nondenominational church near my house offers praise and worship nights with music. I’ve been interested in attending, not because I want to convert, but because I like that style of music and any opportunity to join in prayer with others. Would it be wrong for a Catholic to attend this event?
Ukraine and the limits of dialogue George Weigel July 22, 2026 Russian strikes are deliberately aimed at civilian sites, and while Ukrainian air defenses shoot down some of the missiles and drones, others get through. Innocents are killed and families lose their homes because of this campaign to intentionally inflict civilian casualties.
