International News

The new underground metro station in Tehran, Iran, dedicated to the Virgin Mary offers an opportunity for daily commuters to reflect on God's love for all, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Mathieu of Tehran-Isfahan said.

A former Anglican bishop has urged church leaders to prepare for a surge of Catholic conversions, as a historic Vatican visit by King Charles III coincided with a deepening division in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Amid a new and more dangerous arms race -- and the deterioration of international dialogue -- the Vatican's top diplomat to the United Nations has called for a "fundamental change in perspective" to safeguard the increasingly imperiled international community.

At first, Grace Rofa, 20, a Catholic Palestinian from Jerusalem, and Reign Arpon, 19, a Filipino member of the Hebrew-speaking Catholic community in Tel Aviv, were unsure what the Oct. 18 "Be Happy Youth Festival" would be like.

Patriarchs and heads of the churches in Jerusalem said in a joint Oct. 14 statement they "rejoice at the recent enactment of the ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of those held captive," which they hailed as "auspicious moment," noting "the work of peacebuilding has only just begun."

Immigrant priests, seminarians and religious in the U.S. are among those impacted by immigration enforcement policy, advocates and analysts told OSV News.

Historic momentum is felt across the Middle East as tens of thousands of Palestinians started to make their way back to their homes in northern Gaza Strip.

President Donald Trump said during a meeting in Egypt on Oct. 13 that "phase two has started" of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas in response to a question from a reporter about when the next stage of negotiations would begin.

Scenes of joy, relief and tearful welcomes flooded media across the world Oct. 13 as the remaining Israeli hostages were freed from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip as part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem welcomed "with joy" the announcement of an initial agreement between Hamas and Israel in an Oct. 9 statement, but also stressed the "absolute urgency" for the "immediate" and "unconditional" entry of humanitarian relief and sufficient aid into Gaza.