Vance Praises Leo on Encyclical, Leo Speaks on Gaza and Church Reform, and Georgia Martyrs Remembered

Montse Alvarado named Vatican Communications Prefect, Black Catholics React to Papal Slavery Apology, and Pope Leo's Prayer for Sports

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2368316/fan_mail/new] Maggie Murray of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for June 2, 2026. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com [https://www.osvnews.com/]. Read the stories in this episode: 1. Pope Leo XIV has named EWTN News president Montse Alvarado as prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication, making her the first laywoman and youngest person ever to lead a Roman Curia dicastery when she assumes the role on November 1st. [https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leo-xiv-names-ewtns-montse-alvarado-as-prefect-of-vatican-dicastery-for-communication/] 2. Black Catholic leaders are welcoming Pope Leo XIV's apology for the Church's role in slavery — included in his first encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas" — while calling on the Church to move beyond acknowledgment toward concrete action and healing. [https://www.osvnews.com/popes-slavery-apology-proper-and-just-says-bishop-who-heads-national-black-catholic-congress/] 3. With the FIFA World Cup kicking off June 11th in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Pope Leo XIV dedicated his June prayer intention to sport as an instrument of peace, fraternity and cross-cultural encounter rather than rivalry or division. [https://www.osvnews.com/as-world-cup-approaches-pope-leos-june-prayer-intention-is-for-sport-to-foster-peace-and-encounter/] 4. When Pope Leo XIV visits Pavia, Italy on June 20th to venerate Saint Augustine's remains, he will make a meaningful detour to the birthplace of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini — a stop that reflects both popes' deep, shared compassion for migrants and refugees. [https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leo-xivs-common-ministry-with-mother-cabrini-a-heart-for-migrants-and-refugees/] 5. The U.S. Catholic bishops have released a bilingual 15-page prayer service honoring America's immigrants, refugees and the enslaved as the nation marks its 250th anniversary, structured as a Liturgy of the Word and closing with a call to advocate for just and humane immigration reform. [https://www.osvnews.com/us-bishops-release-prayer-service-commemorating-immigrants-enslaved-with-call-to-action/]

Pope Leo on Archbishop Sheen, Texas Priest Guilty of Sex Crimes, Faith and the FIFA World Cup, and More

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2368316/fan_mail/new] Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for June 1, 2026. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com [https://www.osvnews.com/]. Read the stories in this episode: * Pope Leo XIV on June 1 praised Venerable Fulton J. Sheen as "a light of faith, hope, and love" whose pioneering radio and television broadcasts brought the Gospel to millions of Americans, including the pope himself as a child. [https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leo-calls-archbishop-fulton-sheen-a-light-of-faith-who-touched-millions-with-the-gospel/]  * Several hundred people gathered at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington May 30 to join Pope Leo XIV in a worldwide rosary for peace, seek Mary's intercession to bring peace to the hearts of people and peace to nations at war.  [https://www.osvnews.com/faithful-join-in-rosary-for-peace-in-washington-as-pope-leads-the-marian-devotion-for-world/] * A Catholic priest from Nigeria has been found guilty by a Texas court of sexually abusing several women under his spiritual care, a felony crime in that state. [https://www.osvnews.com/catholic-priest-found-guilty-of-sexually-abusing-women-under-his-spiritual-care-in-texas/] * Pope Leo XIV's first stop in Spain June 6 at a Caritas center for persons experiencing homelessness will send a clear message about his priorities.  [https://www.osvnews.com/first-stop-for-pope-leo-in-spain-will-be-center-that-gives-royal-treatment-to-homeless/] * Catholic dioceses across the United States are preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, viewing the global tournament as both a major pastoral opportunity and a unique moment of international encounter.  [https://www.osvnews.com/us-dioceses-see-world-cup-as-opportunity-for-pastoral-outreach-global-encounter/]

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, Pope Leo Slavery Apology, Relics for Sacred Heart Consecration Coming to US, and More

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2368316/fan_mail/new] Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for May 29, 2026. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com [https://www.osvnews.com/]. Read the stories in this episode: * After a Pentecost launch, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage marks its first full weekend with events in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina. [https://www.osvnews.com/national-eucharistic-pilgrimage-commemorates-catholic-history-along-south-atlantic-coast/] * An AI ethics expert says Catholics may have more power than they realize in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.  [https://www.osvnews.com/can-catholics-as-consumers-drive-a-better-ai-future/] * The Knights of Peter Claver, one of the Catholic Church's largest historically Black Catholic lay fraternal organizations, said it "offers its full support" for Pope Leo XIV's acknowledgment of the Church's role in slavery.  [https://www.osvnews.com/knights-of-peter-claver-express-full-support-for-pope-leo-slavery-apology/] * Christians in Lebanon are facing a growing humanitarian crisis as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues and the country’s economic collapse deepens. [https://www.osvnews.com/church-aid-leader-lebanese-christians-dont-want-mere-survival-they-want-to-truly-live/] * The relics of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the French Visitation sister who experienced visions of Jesus revealing his Sacred Heart, will be present with the U.S. bishops in Orlando, Florida, when they consecrate the United States to Jesus' Sacred Heart June 11. [https://www.osvnews.com/relics-of-sister-to-whom-jesus-appeared-showing-his-sacred-heart-will-come-to-the-u-s-in-june/]

Pope Leo Rosary for Peace, Politics in Church, Sacred Heart Film, and More

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2368316/fan_mail/new] Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for May 28, 2026. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com. Read the stories in this episode: * Pope Leo XIV will preside over a worldwide rosary for peace May 30, uniting Marian shrines across continents in simultaneous prayer to close the Catholic Church's month of devotion to the Virgin Mary.  [https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leo-asks-catholics-worldwide-to-pray-rosary-for-peace-may-30/] * Most U.S. adults who regularly attend religious services have heard their clergy speak about at least one political or social issue recently, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. [https://www.osvnews.com/pew-most-americans-who-attend-religious-services-have-heard-about-political-social-issues-recently/]  * Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence," addressed sexual exploitation as one of the human dignity concerns posed by artificial intelligence. [https://www.osvnews.com/magnifica-humanitas-condemns-online-sexual-exploitation-as-take-it-down-act-enforcement-begins/]  * In Peru, top Catholic leaders dropped to their knees last week to beg forgiveness from indigenous farmers who suffered violence and land theft at the hands of a now-suppressed lay movement. [https://www.osvnews.com/peru-church-asks-forgiveness-to-victims-of-suppressed-lay-movement/]  * A French blockbuster is coming to theatres in the U.S. just in time for the consecration of the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and premieres for U.S. audiences in June. [https://www.osvnews.com/sacred-heart-films-us-showings-coincide-with-bishops-national-consecration/]

Vance Praises Leo on Encyclical, Leo Speaks on Gaza and Church Reform, and Georgia Martyrs Remembered

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2368316/fan_mail/new] Peter Jesserer Smith of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for May 27, 2026. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com [https://www.osvnews.com/]. Read the stories in this episode: * Vice President JD Vance said in a new interview with NBC News that while he has not yet fully read Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas" -- which addresses human dignity concerns posed by artificial intelligence -- what he has read of it "sounds very profound." [https://www.osvnews.com/vance-says-pope-leos-new-encyclical-sounds-very-profound-welcomes-just-war-rethink/] * Pope Leo XIV has renewed his call for humanitarian aid and human rights protections in Gaza. [https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leo-renews-calls-for-humanitarian-help-for-people-of-gaza-discusses-ai-and-warfare/] * Pope Leo XIV defended Church reform as a legitimate process that adapts to current needs while remaining rooted in authentic tradition. [https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leo-calls-for-openness-to-church-reform-that-respects-tradition/] * As the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage continued to make its way up the East Coast, it took a day to encounter Friar Pedro de Corpa and Companions, the five Franciscan friars -- also known as the Georgia Martyrs -- who will be beatified Oct. 31 in Savannah, Georgia.  [https://www.osvnews.com/national-eucharistic-pilgrimage-highlights-georgia-martyrs-ahead-of-oct-31-beatification/]