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Hours after the United States bombed three nuclear-enrichment facilities in Iran, Pope Leo XIV described the Middle East situation as "alarming" and emphasized diplomacy as the only responsible path forward. "Every member of the international community has a moral responsibility: Stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss," he stated during the June 22 Angelus. A ceasefire between Israel and Iran appears to be holding.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued several significant rulings recently. On June 26, it decided there is no private right to sue over South Carolina's decision to exclude Planned Parenthood from its Medicaid program, potentially allowing other states to follow suit. On June 27, the Court ruled in favor of Maryland parents seeking to opt their children out of classroom instruction on books with LGBTQ+ themes due to religious objections. Additionally, justices upheld a Texas law requiring age verification for online pornography access and limited federal judges' ability to issue nationwide injunctions concerning an executive order on birthright citizenship.
A suicide bombing occurred at a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, during a Divine Liturgy on June 22, resulting in at least 20 deaths and over 60 injuries at Mar Elias Church in Dweila neighborhood.
In Altadena, Archbishop José H. Gomez led a procession through the streets with a monstrance containing the Eucharist as part of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage on June 20. This event marked one of the final processions of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival that concluded in Los Angeles on Corpus Christi Sunday with a call for participants to "become Eucharistic missionaries."
Twenty U.S. Catholic bishops have joined an interfaith effort opposing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act related to President Donald Trump's legislative agenda on taxes and immigration. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reiterated its stance on various provisions under Senate consideration in a separate statement on June 26.
In France, a new initiative called "Observatory of Catholicism" launched this June aims to provide data-driven insights into Catholicism's evolving role in French society.
Tensions rose in the West Bank on June 26 when Israeli settlers attacked Taybeh village by setting fire at its eastern entrance. No injuries were reported there; however, nearby Kafr Malik experienced deadly violence with three Palestinians killed and several homes and vehicles torched.
In Seville, Spain, local Catholics reacted negatively to changes made during restoration work on Mary Most Holy of Hope Macarena statue unveiled on June 20; many felt her traditional sorrowful expression was altered by longer eyelashes and paler face features.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass outside Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran for Corpus Christi feast before joining thousands for a procession toward Basilica St Mary Major about one mile away from starting point—among papal events this week included audiences related Jubilees Governments Seminarians Priests Bishops meeting individuals recovering substance abuse issues along plenary assembly Vatican coalition charities urging everyone root false narratives fueling wars conflict violence writing letter Peruvian journalist advocating culture prevention intolerance any form abuse message priests Sacred Heart Jesus Wednesday general audience reflecting healing woman touching Jesus’ cloak raising girl dead
A government-ordered euthanasia facility operated by British Columbia's Vancouver Coastal Health Authority is now fully operational at St Paul's Hospital downtown Vancouver despite longstanding pro-life policies consistent Church teachings following provincial government's response persistent pro-MAiD activism media pressure since November 2023
