EWTN NEWS IN DEPTH

EWTN’s weekly one-hour discussion of current events in the Church, politics, and culture, from a Catholic perspective. Covering the underreported stories and clarifying the Church's position on key teachings, with a focus on the laity's needs and concerns. Hosted by Catherine Hadro.
2024-11-16
Analyzing 2024 Voters Identifying as Catholic, U.S. Bishops’ Fall Meeting
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.
2024-11-09
Trump’s Historic Election Night, Father of Hamas Hostage Speaks Out
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.
2024-11-02
Countdown to Election Day, Historic Synod Reaches Conclusion, Church Closures Upset Parishioners
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.
2024-10-19
Nebraska’s Abortion Measures, Ireland Report on Sexual Abuse at Catholic Schools
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.
2024-10-12
Hurricane Milton Relief, October 7th Anniversary
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.
2024-10-05
Catholic Bishops on Hurricane Helene Relief, Vice Presidential Debate
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.
2024-09-28
Israel Strikes Lebanon, Bishop on Suicide Prevention
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.
2024-09-21
Vatican Medjugorje Decision, Voting Catholic
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.
2024-09-14
Catholic Analysis of U.S. Presidential Debate
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.
2024-09-07
Exclusive Poll Results on Catholic Voters
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.
2024-08-31
Previewing Pope Francis’ Trip to Asia
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.
2024-08-24
Abortion Takes Center Stage at DNC, Trend of Banning Cell Phones in School
At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago where Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the presidential nomination, Democrats featured the push for abortion throughout the week – Democrats for Life of America’s Kristen Day reacts. President Biden recently announced his plan to reform the Supreme Court - we speak with Adam White, former Commissioner of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court, for analysis. The trend of banning cell phones in schools is growing – Roselle Reyes takes a look at how Catholic schools across the U.S. are dealing with the classroom distraction and we’re joined by Catholic psychologist Michael Horne to hear how cell phones can impact a child’s developing brain. As “The Wizard of Oz” celebrates its 85th anniversary, Mark Irons tells us the pro-life story surrounding Judy Garland’s birth – and the latest on the missing ruby red slippers mystery.
2024-08-17
Catholic Leaders in Ukraine on War Latest, Olympian Dominique Dawes on Paris Summer Games
Ukraine’s surprise incursion into Russia has reframed the ongoing war – we’re joined by Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and Professor Yuriy Pidlisnyy of the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lyiv to hear how the Catholic faithful are faring in Ukraine. Three-time Olympian and gold medalist Dominique Dawes shares her reflections on the Paris Olympics Summer Games and how EWTN foundress Mother Angelica inspires her today. Roselle Reyes takes us to Cleveland, Ohio, where a group of high school students are serving as funeral pall bearers for complete strangers. This week Missouri and Arizona have added abortion amendments to their November ballots– Elizabeth Kirk of The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law puts the latest news into perspective. Colm Flynn brings us a history lesson about the medieval Irish missionary St. Columbanus – and how his writings serve as a model for politics today.
2024-08-10
Interview with Boston’s Archbishop-Elect Richard Henning, Childlessness & Catholic Dating Culture
In what was seen as a surprise pick to many, Pope Francis appoints Providence’s Bishop Richard Henning as the next archbishop of Boston – we speak one-on-one with Archbishop-elect Henning about what he’s looking forward to in his next assignment. Mark Irons examines where both U.S. vice presidential candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance stand on the life issue and other topics critical to Catholic voters. In light of JD Vance’s resurfaced comments on childlessness, we take a deep dive into what’s behind the lower marital and fertility rates today with Communio president J.P. De Gance and Catholic writer Emily Stimpson Chapman. And Colm Flynn takes us inside the kitchen of Fr. Leo Patalinghug’s food ministry.
2024-08-03
Exclusive Report on Student Loan Impact on Vocations; Major Prisoner Swap; Luke Russert on Grief and Faith
A study exclusively reported on by EWTN News reveals religious institutions and dioceses are spending big dollars to help pay off the student loan debts of their priests and religious – Montse Alvarado reports on the details and we delve into the topic with The Labouré Society’s John Flanagan and Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN. Roselle Reyes examines how work visas and green cards can be a stumbling block to the U.S.’ reliance on foreign-born priests serving in parishes. Athletes, missionaries, and a former Olympian are bringing the light of Christ to the 2024 Paris games – Mark Irons reports. We sit down with Luke Russert, author of “Look for Me There”, to hear how he leaned on his Catholic faith amid the sudden loss of his father, broadcast legend Tim Russert.