Daily Catholic News:
Bishop Zaidan has made a plea to President Donald Trump for assistance and peace in Lebanon following a deadly Israeli attack. The recent strikes by Israel have resulted in the death of over 300 people in Lebanon, with the total death toll exceeding 1,700 since the conflict began. The bishop’s appeal is a call for intervention to halt the escalating violence.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a slight decrease in U.S. births in 2025. This continues the trend of a gradual decline in U.S. births that has been ongoing for nearly two decades, with the exception of a small increase in 2024. The reasons for this decline are multifaceted and complex.
Catholic moral theologians have expressed concern for civilians amid a fragile ceasefire in Iran and the rhetoric of President Trump. The ceasefire has temporarily halted fighting for approximately two weeks. However, Trump’s threats against civilian infrastructure have alarmed theologians, who stress that intentionally harming noncombatants is immoral.
In a new pastoral letter, bishops from Indiana have urged Catholics to take care of ‘God’s good world’. The bishops identified a human heart that is self-absorbed, detached from God, our neighbors, and creation as the root cause of the ecological and social crises. They called for a renewed commitment to caring for the environment.
U.S. officials have defended their involvement in the Iranian conflict, despite criticism from top Catholic leaders. The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See has categorically refuted reports that the government pressured the Vatican to support U.S. military actions. This comes amid a tense international climate surrounding the conflict.