EWTN NEWS IN DEPTH

Mystery drone sightings continue in the northeastern U.S. and beyond – Mark Irons reports on how national security officials, politicians, and even Catholic priests are weighing in on these aerial drones lighting up the night skies. With the fast evolving nature of artificial technology – how should the Catholic Church navigate the moral and ethical ways to use it? We report on some of the A.I. hits and misses we’ve seen within the Church so far – and speak with bioethicist Fr. Michael Baggot, L.C. and digital Catholic journalist Juan Andrés Muñoz for their insights. As the Supreme Court announces it will take up a case centered on religious exemptions for a Catholic Charities in Wisconsin – the Diocese of Superior’s Bishop James Powers explains how Catholic Charities’ work in serving those in need is central to the faith. Colm Flynn travels to Norway to take to the headquarters of the North Pole Mission – and the northernmost Catholic cathedral. And hear the rich history behind one of the most beloved Christmas carols “Silent Night”, as we go to Austria with reporter Rudolf Gehrig.

The crumbling of the Assad regime in Syria changes the balance of power in the Middle East and has ramifications for the Christian communities who remain – Mark Irons reports and we speak with Bishop François Beyrouti, the leader of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church in the U.S., and with EWTN News Contributor Alberto Fernandez for their insights into the region. In just five years since a devastating fire, the Notre Dame Cathedral has been restored – Colm Flynn traveled to Paris to find out what the Cathedral’s reopening means to the people of France on a deeper level. This weekend marks 12 years since the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting – we’re joined by one of the victim’s mothers, Jennifer Hubbard, to hear how she’s grappled with God in her Catholic faith amid her suffering. Roselle Reyes introduces us to a “sensory Mass” tailored to members of our Church who have various sensory processing issues and need an accepting environment to worship.

This week the Supreme Court took on a case centered on gender transition procedures for minors – Roselle Reyes reports from the High Court and we get analysis from Josh Payne, an attorney who represents detransitioners, and Theresa Farnan of the Ethics and Public Policy Center’s Person and Identity Project for a Catholic perspective on the issue. Pope Francis will be creating 21 new Cardinals this weekend with his tenth Consistory – we introduce you to some of the notable names and EWTN News Senior Vatican Analyst Francis X. Rocca speaks to Pope Francis’ influence on the College of Cardinals. For more than a century, farming in Nebraska has run in the Clark family blood – and so has the Catholic faith; Mark Irons reports from the cornhusker state. There’s been a renewed conversation about restoring “Meatless Fridays” – we speak with the Institute of Catholic Culture’s Fr. Hezekias Carnazzo about the long-held tradition in the Church and how to better embrace it this Advent.

On the 1,000th day of war, Ukraine hits targets inside Russia with a U.S.-made missile system - we speak with Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia about the latest war developments and to hear how the faithful in Ukraine are maintaining their faith. The daughter of an elderly hostage still being held by Hamas, Sharone Lifschitz, shares details about her Vatican meeting with Pope Francis and her message to the Holy Father. Mark Irons sits down with Bishop William Byrne, the new USCCB Communications Chair, to discuss how lay Catholics are called to communicate Christ to the world in the modern era. Alan Holdren introduces us to St. Martin’s Academy, a Catholic boys boarding school in Kansas that uses nature to teach boys how to become good and faithful men. And during this National Adoption Month, Dr. Ray Guarendi shares his perspective on adoption – both as an adoptive father of 10 himself and as Catholic clinical psychologist.

Just over one week since Election Day, we examine how widely diverse the voting bloc that identifies as Catholic is – and how they played a role in the U.S. presidential election results. Plus, The New Yorker’s Emma Green tells us about her reporting into the GOP’s shifting pro-life playbook to build a new vision of conservative family policy. Correspondent Mark Irons travels to Baltimore for the U.S. Bishops’ annual fall meeting to report on how the U.S. presidential election results are being closely monitored by the Church leaders. Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville speaks to us about the Synod on Synodality – and his reaction to President-elect Trump’s gains with both Catholic-identifying and Hispanic voters. Correspondent Roselle Reyes checks in on restoration efforts in North Carolina following the devastation of Hurricane Helene – and how Catholic groups and volunteers are stepping up to serve. In the wake of Archbishop Justin Welby’s resignation over the mishandling of abuse allegations in the Church of England – National Catholic Register’s Edward Pentin explains the significance of the news and the reaction from the faithful in Britain.

In what was a historic election night, Donald Trump becomes only the second U.S. president to win two non-consecutive terms in office – reporters Mark Irons and Roselle Reyes speaks with voters in two key battleground states, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. The pro-life movement celebrated its first state victories since the reversal of Roe v. Wade – we report on how Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota defeated their abortion amendments. Ethics and Public Policy Center’s Francis X. Maier and The Free Press’ Madeleine Kearns join us to discuss how Trump won the Catholic vote – and how the abortion and gender issues played a role in the election results. More than 13 months since the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack – we speak with the father of an Israeli-American still held hostage and hear his message to President-elect Trump. And we go south with Montse Alvarado for a close-up look at The Painted Churches of Texas.

It’s countdown to Election Day. Candidates present their closing arguments to voters as fears around voter fraud continue to circulate. Political analysts share what they’ll be looking out for on November Fifth. Pope Francis pens a new encyclical on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Synod on Synodality ends after three years of discernment – we share big takeaways and what comes next. A look at the sad reality of church closures and consolidations as attendance continues a downward trend. Plus, meet the fourteen new saints recently canonized by Pope Francis – and learn how you can help the holy souls in Purgatory during the month of November.

This Election Day, Nebraska is the only state with competing abortion-related measures on the ballot – Mark Irons takes us to Nebraska to hear how the Church is working to disentangle abortion misinformation and Human Coalition Action’s Chelsey Youman speaks to what’s at stake with pro-life ballot initiatives across 10 states. Ireland recently released a wide-ranging report from the Irish government alleging more than 2,300 instances of abuse across 308 schools – Colm Flynn speaks with survivors and the Archbishop of Dublin in a special report from Ireland. From the Ireland investigation – to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ historic settlement with clerical sex abuse survivors this week – The Catholic Project’s Stephen White discusses what the Catholic Church has done and needs to do more of to provide safeguards against abuse. And we give you an inside look at the Vatican’s restored baldacchino in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Cleanup from Hurricane Milton is underway as residents are returning home after the storm barreled across Florida – we speak with Kim Burgo of Catholic Charities USA to hear how Catholic agencies are helping lead relief efforts. It’s been one year since Hamas launched an unprecedented terrorist attack on Israel – we speak with a Catholic survivor of the Hamas attack in her first on-camera interview to hear how she says God protected her. At the start of the Synod, the Vatican’s doctrinal chief shut down speculation about further theological study into the possibility of women being ordained as deacons – Catholic News Agency correspondent Kristina Millare reports with more from the Vatican. We look back on Kamala Harris’ previous scrutiny of judicial nominees over their Knights of Columbus membership – and what it might reveal about her relationship with Catholics and Catholic beliefs. Colm Flynn takes us high up into the steeple of an Irish cathedral to hear how one musician shares the unique sound of the carillon.

Hurricane Helene has become the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina – we are joined by Charlotte Diocese’s Bishop Michael Martin, Knoxville Diocese’s Bishop Mark Beckman, and St. Petersburg Diocese’s Bishop Gregory Parkes to hear how the Catholic Church is serving those who have been hardest hit. Israel expands its operations in Lebanon – we discuss the intensifying conflict with human rights activist Dr. Habib Malik from his home in Beirut. Vice presidential candidates JD Vance and Tim Walz were center stage this week for their one-and-only debate – Mark Irons reports on what stood out and The Free Press’ associate editor Madeleine Kearns and writer Leah Libresco Sargeant join us for Catholic analysis on debate topics ranging from abortion to child-tax credits and beyond. Pope Francis opened the second assembly of the Synod on Synodality in Rome this week – EWTN News’ Editorial Director Dr. Matthew Bunson reports with the details. And Roselle Reyes goes on the road with a Catholic photographer determined to take photos of every Catholic cathedral and basilica in the U.S.

Israel’s recent airstrikes in Lebanon are the deadliest in decades – as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, we speak with former U.S. diplomat Alberto Fernandez on whether the conflict may soon escalate into a broader war. Correspondent Mark Irons takes us to southern Florida where politicians on both sides of the aisle have found common ground: saving the Everglades. Bishop John Dolan of Phoenix opens up about losing three siblings to suicide and the need for mental health ministry in the Church, as National Suicide Prevention Month comes to a close. Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Cameroon sits down with Montse Alvarado to discuss his candid thoughts and hopes for the upcoming October Synod on Synodality meetings in Rome. And ahead of St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s feast day - we introduce you to singer-songwriter Marie Miller, whose latest album was inspired by The Little Flower.

This election season, correspondent Mark Irons dives into how Catholic voters should be first rooted in Church teaching as they participate in political life – and EWTN’s Vice President of Theology explains how Catholics are called to form their conscience in preparation for voting their conscience. The Vatican approves devotion at Medjugorje, while not pronouncing on the authenticity of the alleged messages – we speak with Marian experts Dr. Gloria Falcão Dodd of the University of Dayton’s International Marian Research Institute and “Miracle Hunter” Michael O’Neill to explore the significance of this Vatican announcement. Nearly four years after pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai was arrested in Hong Kong, we’re joined by his son Sebastien Lai for an update on the case. And Brazil’s patroness, Our Lady Aparecida, finally has a home in the nation’s capital – we take you to the joyous celebration.

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris squared off in their first U.S. presidential debate – Mark Irons highlights the moments of importance to Catholic voters and moral theologian Charles Camosy corrects the debate record on whether there are late-term abortions. Pope Francis has completed his most ambitious papal trip yet in Southeast Asia – we speak with Catholic News Agency’s Rome Correspondent Courtney Mares from Singapore for the highlights from the trip. Thousands of faithful have gathered in Quito, Ecuador for the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress – EWTN News Editorial Director Dr. Matthew Bunson and Fr. Thomas Petri, president of the Dominican House of Studies, share how its theme of ‘Fraternity to Heal the World’ connects to Our Eucharistic Lord. Canadian Catholics traveled to Toronto for the recent EWTN Family Celebration – Roselle Reyes recaps the family gathering and shares how Mother Angelica’s legacy continues to live on.

A new EWTN News/RealClear Opinion Research survey reveals Vice President Kamala Harris is leading former President Donald Trump among Catholic voters – Mark Irons reports on the survey’s findings and we break it all down with RealClearPolitics’ Susan Crabtree and religion and politics data analyst Dr. Ryan Burge. Pope Francis has embarked on his most ambitious papal trip yet for his Southeast Asia tour – we catch up with Catholic News Agency’s Rome Correspondent Courtney Mares in Indonesia as she travels with the Holy Father. As rage sweeps Israel following the murders of six Israeli hostages – we speak with the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America’s Nathan Diament for his reaction to the devastating tragedy. The U.S. Bishops surveyed parishes to better meet the needs of Hispanic and Latino Catholic Americans – Roselle Reyes has the details and Angelus’ Editor-in-Chief Pablo Kay shares how the Church can better respond to the growing Hispanic Catholic population.

As Pope Francis prepares for his most ambitious and demanding international trip of his papacy – Colm Flynn brings us to the four countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania that the Holy Father will visit and EWTN News Editorial Director Dr. Matthew Bunson explains the significance of this papal trip. Voters will decide on 11 abortion-related ballot measures in 10 states – Mark Irons reports on how the Catholic Church in Florida is working to defeat Amendment 4 and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s Sue Liebel breaks down the current pro-life state landscape ahead of November.