Ever wonder why there is a worldwide feast for the Lateran Basilica in Rome?
Every year on Nov. 9, the church celebrates the dedication of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran — the first legally built public church in the world, and the church of the bishop of Rome (the pope). As such, it is uniquely united to all other churches.
It is also the 1,700th anniversary of the Lateran’s dedication this year, and over this time it has seen centuries of historical events and architectural styles that make for a fascinating read.
There are even more OSV News stories below, and you can read more at osvnews.com and on social media @OSVNews.
Megan Marley
Digital Editor
P.S.: Enjoy reading this roundup? Sign up to receive our emails here.
20 years of abuse settlements for US Catholic dioceses exceeds $5 billion total
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ $880 million abuse claims settlement, announced Oct. 16, brings the total payouts of U.S. Catholic dioceses for abuse claims since 2004 to more than $5 billion — and possibly more than $6 billion — OSV News has found.
Economic concerns likely factor in victory for Trump, as Catholic vote shifts in his favor
Economic concerns among voters likely played a key role in former President Donald Trump’s defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris, analysts told OSV News. Early exit polls indicated economic concerns ranked among the top issues for voters, and that Catholic voters underwent a significant shift right since 2020.
FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP: Beyond Election Day: Faithful citizenship happens ‘brick by brick’ at local level, says Catholic policy expert
CNS ROME: Top Vatican official hopes Trump will promote peace, national unity
ABORTION: Voters in 3 states reject abortion ballot measures, defying trend around country
SCHOOL CHOICE: Catholics lament voter rejection of school choice initiatives in 3 states
RECREATIONAL DRUGS: Voters deal blow to recreational marijuana, psychedelic drug legalization efforts
ASSISTED SUICIDE: West Virginia assisted suicide ban leads by narrow margin as vote count continues
CANON LAW: Can voter lobbying groups use ‘Catholic’ in their names? Bishops may have to decide
Catholics and the next four years
OSV EDITORIAL BOARD: As Catholics, we can and should lead the way in healing the wounds of the last decade. Our approach to politics should not and cannot be one defined by allegiance to a particular political party, much less allegiance to a man — other than Jesus Christ.
Holy Black Catholics: A glance at six African American candidates for canonization
In Black Catholic History Month, here are six African American candidates for canonization to celebrate!
IRELAND: Sainthood cause to open for beloved Irish actress turned nun, parish priest confirms
MOVIE REVIEW: Radiating Joy: The Michelle Duppong Story
Foundress of Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal remembered for inner light, charity
Mother Lucille Cutrone, foundress of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, was remembered as a “devoted daughter of the church” during her funeral Mass celebrated Nov. 4 in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. Mother Lucille died Oct. 27 “surrounded by the love and prayers of her sisters” at the Convent of San Damiano in the New York borough of the Bronx, where she resided, according to her community.
Thousands of volunteers arrive to help with cleaning, other tasks after tragic flood in Spain
SPAIN: As Spain mourns the death of over 200 victims of the biggest peacetime disaster in decades, volunteers poured into the Valencia region to give a helping hand in cleaning up and offer support to the devastated community. Local parishes and the city’s cultural institutions turned into help centers — storing supplies sent from all over Spain and assigning those that came to help to cleaning streets and houses.
BANGLADESH: Talitha Kum trains nuns, youth against human trafficking and forced marriage in Bangladesh
HAITI: Gang attack on convent reveals Haiti’s ‘desperate’ situation, says Miami archbishop
INDONESIA: Catholic nun among 10 killed in Indonesian volcano eruption
MEXICO: Bishops reject Mexico City initiative aimed at eliminating any legal protection for life in womb
PERU: Cardinal: Church must embark on ‘very serious process’ before considering Sodalitium’s dissolution
UKRAINE: ‘Someone suffers’ every time Russia attacks Ukraine, says Basilian nun in Zaporizhzhia
Notre Dame’s choir is ready to sing again at home as cathedral’s bells ring anew
La Maîtrise Notre Dame de Paris, the official choir of Notre Dame Cathedral, “found itself orphaned” after the devastating April 15, 2019, fire that collapsed the spire and part of Notre Dame’s roof, causing extensive damage inside. But it will be back in Paris’ cathedral from Dec. 7, after five years of work on the cathedral’s restoration.
Twins delivered by priest are thriving; ‘he saved my boys,’ father says
Last November, the Catholic Extension Society shared the heart-warming story about a priest who delivered twin babies outside St. Paul Cathedral in Yakima, Washington. A year later the twin boys are thriving.
Minnesota archdiocese’s newly ordained auxiliary bishop urges all to follow Christ’s heart
Newly ordained and addressing 3,000 people in the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Auxiliary Bishop Kevin T. Kenney said he was grateful for the love and support he has received from so many over the years, and he urged all to return to “the heart of loving Jesus in our lives.” His Oct. 28 ordination fell just four days after Pope Francis released an encyclical on devotion to the Sacred of Heart of Jesus, “Dilexit Nos.”
MASSACHUSETTS: Boston’s new archbishop introduces himself
MISSOURI: Missouri bishop issues new decree on hymns, opens synodal process to decide issue
Be on the lookout for hope; keep moving forward in faith, pope writes
CNS ROME: Christians should make a practice each night of identifying signs of hope, even small ones, that came their way during the day, Pope Francis wrote. Living the virtue of Christian hope means “knowing how to discern, everywhere, evidence of hope, the breaking through of the possible into the impossible, of grace where it would seem that sin has eroded all trust,” the pope said in the introduction to the book, “Hope Is a Light in the Night.”
COLLEGE OF CARDINALS: Pope names another new cardinal for December consistory
ALL SOULS: On All Souls, pope prays at graves of children, miscarried infants
