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Zeale News

Meet the Democratic Socialists going to Washington

By Elise Winland, November 4, 2026

While the Nov. 3 midterm elections saw Democrats capture a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, five candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) also won election to the House, and two other DSA-aligned incumbents won reelection: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. They are DSA members and members of the “Squad,” the Democratic Party's most progressive House faction. Darializa Avila Chevalier, Florida-born daughter of Dominican immigrants, was elected to represent New York’s 13th congressional district by a huge margin. Ethiopian-born Democrat Melat Kiros was elected to represent Colorado’s first congressional district, defeating Republican candidate Christy Peterson by nearly two to one. Read further about: a Detroit native and former Michigan state legislator, Donovan McKinney; Chris Rabb, elected to represent Pennsylvania’s third congressional district; and Claire Valdez representing New York’s seventh congressional district.

OSV News

Leo heads to Francis’ divided Argentina, which he never revisited

By Ines San Martin, November 4, 2026

When Pope Leo XIV arrives in Argentina Nov. 8, he will become the first pope to set foot in the country in nearly four decades — and the first to encounter a nation still wrestling with the legacy of the Argentine who preceded him. Pope Francis remained deeply loved by many Argentines, particularly for his closeness to the poor. But he also became entangled in the country’s political divisions, criticized from the right as Peronist and from other sectors for positions they considered conservative. His decision never to return home during his 12-year pontificate remained a source of disappointment and speculation. Archbishop Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva of Buenos Aires recently described “a wounded Argentina, a divided Argentina,” marked for decades by poverty, intolerance and the political fracture Argentines call la grieta, or “the rift.” The economic picture resists a simple political reading. Official poverty figures fell sharply from 52.9% in the first half of 2024 to 28.2% in the second half of 2025, but rose again to 32.3% in the first half of 2026. In August, economic activity was down 1.7% from a year earlier.

Related: Pope Leo returns to continent full of contradictions but rich in hope - By Andrea Tornielli, Vatican News, November 5, 2024

National Catholic Register

Defeats leave questions about pro-life voter persuasion

By Gigi Duncan, November 4, 2026

As Democrats gained control of both chambers of Congress, voters in Virginia and Nevada approved constitutional amendments enshrining the right to abortion. Missouri voters, meanwhile, rejected an effort to restore legal protections for unborn children. The results came amid broader voter dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s administration. The losses in all three states leave the pro-life movement questioning its next steps. In Virginia, more than 62% of voters approved an amendment establishing a constitutional right to abortion for “every individual.” Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington urged Catholics not to be discouraged by the vote, but to keep working to protect unborn life. “Thus, we do not despair,” he said. “We resolve to continue speaking the truth with love and, together, we persevere in faith and hope.” Jamie Morris, executive director of the Missouri Catholic Conference, said the political climate did not favor the campaign, with the country moving further to the left.

The Pillar

USCCB revenue from government contracts is sharply down

By Brendan Hodge, November 3, 2026

At the end of February 2025, the U.S. State Department formally notified the USCCB that contractual resettlement and assistance programs for migrants, administered by the USCCB and other Christian non-profits, were “terminated immediately.” Overall, USCCB revenue fell from $303M in 2024 to $207M in 2025, and in 2026 the conference’s revenue will likely drop another $72M to $135M, a reduction of more than 50% from the 2024 peak. The USCCB does not provide direct services to migrants and refugees. Instead, it serves as a kind of “general contractor”—applying for U.S. government grants to provide services to migrants and refugees being legally settled in the U.S., then passing those funds to local Catholic organizations that do the work in specific communities where the U.S. government is settling them. The USCCB's government contracting has at times attracted significant controversy, with critics arguing that it gives bishops a financial motivation to take political positions in debates over federal immigration policy.

Related: US Bishops Face a Financial Turning Point as Federal Refugee Funding Comes to an End - ZENIT Staff, November 4, 2026

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Aleteia

Bob Dylan, Pope Leo, and a rather unlikely duet

By Cerith Gardiner, November 5, 2026

The singer arrived at the Vatican in a hoodie. But the two Americans had rather more in common than their photographs suggested. Bob Dylan has been confounding expectations for most of his 85 years, and Wednesday's visit to the Vatican was no exception. While Pope Leo welcomed his famous guest in traditional papal white, Dylan turned up in black, complete with a hoodie pulled over his head. Not exactly the outfit most people would choose for an audience with the Holy Father, but then Dylan has never been particularly concerned with what most people think. The encounter on November 4 was brief, with the two Americans exchanging a few jokes and gifts. Dylan presented Leo with a copy of his autobiography, Chronicles: Volume One, while the Pope gave him a rosary. For a musician whose relationship with religion has taken more twists and turns than his extraordinary career, the exchange was interesting.

Vatican News

Cardinal Parolin hopes for cooperation after US midterm elections

By Salvatore Cernuzio, November 5, 2026

There will certainly be “changes” following the Democrats’ victory in the US midterm elections, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin said on Thursday, November 5. “We hope that reason and common sense will prevail” and that we may “collaborate,” doing everything possible “to turn the painful page of Ukraine and the many other conflicts taking place around the world … At this point, it is very difficult to predict what kind of changes might take place. We hope that these changes can lead [to peace], because for a long time we have been calling for everything possible to be done to turn the painful page of Ukraine and the many other conflicts taking place around the world.” The Democratic majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate will “certainly” bring about “changes,” the Cardinal stressed.

The Jerusalem Post

Arab parties back Eisenkot for PM, blocking Netanyahu

By Jerusalem Post Staff, November 5, 2026

The Joint List announced on Thursday that it would recommend Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot to President Isaac Herzog as its candidate to form the next government, describing the decision as an important step toward preventing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from returning to power. The Joint List and Ra'am secured a combined 19 seats, giving them a potentially decisive role in efforts to form the next government. “We made the decision unanimously, following consultations among the components of the Joint List. This was not an easy decision,” the party said in a statement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc holds 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot won 48 seats. President Isaac Herzog will consult with representatives of the elected parties before tasking a lawmaker with forming the next government. The designated candidate will initially have 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to form a coalition.

World War II mystery: Who dropped bombs on the Vatican?

By Hannah Brockhaus November 5, 2026

As a neutral territory, Vatican City was largely spared from major bombing during World War II, while Rome was the target of raids by both Allied and Axis forces during Nazi Germany’s occupation of the city. Except for one autumn night, around 8 p.m. on Nov. 5, 1943, when an unidentified plane dropped five bombs on the Vatican — four of which detonated — one narrowly missing St. Peter’s Basilica. Luckily, no one was killed, but who dropped the bombs and why has it been shrouded in mystery ever since, with one historian offering a likely theory only in 2010? Earlier that year, after the first Allied attacks on the city of Rome, the pope had written to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to ask Allied forces to spare the city “further pain and devastation” and to keep its treasured sites “from irreparable ruin.” Roosevelt replied on June 16, 1943, saying: “Attacks against Italy are limited, to the extent humanly possible, to military objectives.”

Keep informed - 11/5/26 news for Catholics

Snippets from OSV, EWTN News, & ChurchPOP

OSV News

OSV’s seasoned reporters - November 5, 2026

OSV News — an information service and evangelization partner that helps dioceses connect with the faithful and boost engagement by sharing timely, trustworthy, accurate content about what is happening in the Church and the world.

At Peruvian shrine, Pope Leo will return to the missionary model that shaped him - by Ines San Martin - Zaña is the third and last shrine on Pope Leo’s first apostolic journey to Latin America, after the national Marian shrines of Uruguay and Argentina. His Nov. 11-16 visit to Peru will also take him to Lima, Chiclayo, Santa Cruz de Succhabamba, Cusco and Pucallpa.
Idaho defies trend, rejects abortion protections ballot measure - by Kate Scanlon - Voters in Idaho rejected a ballot measure that would have established abortion as a state right, but voters in Nevada and Virginia approved similar measures.
Pro-life advocates pray at grave of 47 babies killed by abortionist Gosnell, but ‘not forgotten’ - by Gina Christian - On All Souls’ Day Nov. 2, several Catholics gathered at a Philadelphia cemetery to mourn preborn children killed by notorious abortionist Kermit Gosnell. For retired Detective James Wood, who had discovered the babies’ bodies stored in a freezer at Gosnell’s facility, the occasion — his first visit to the grave — was both “special” and “surreal.”

EWTN News

EWTN’s top headlines — November 5, 2026

EWTN provides reliable, free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Universal Church, emphasizing the words of the Holy Father and the activities of the Holy See, and is available to anyone with internet access.

Pope Leo XIV: Let us not allow the memory of the deceased to be reduced to mere nostalgia - By Angela Ambrogetti - It is customary for the popes to celebrate this Mass every year at the beginning of November. The list of names for whom the Mass is offered is printed in the opening pages of the liturgical booklet. This year, Mass was offered for seven cardinals and 136 bishops.
Lessons on humility from 20th-century Vatican secretary of state who slept on a straw mattress - By Victoria Cardiel - At just 38 years of age, Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val assumed one of the most influential positions in the Church upon being appointed Vatican secretary of state by St. Pius X.
A brilliant diplomat born into an aristocratic family, the cardinal had an exceptional intellectual background, spoke several languages, and earned the pope’s trust through his discreet loyalty and profound interior life.
Texas Democrats sweep statewide offices; Catholics, pro-lifers respond - By Amira Abuzeid - In a surprise defeat in the governor’s race, former state legislator Gina Hinojosa (pro-abortion) defeated three-time incumbent Greg Abbott (pro-life), who was first elected in 2014. In 2021, he signed into law the Texas Heartbeat Act, which banned abortions once fetal cardiac activity is detectable (around six weeks).

ChurchPOP Trending

ChurchPOP provides fun, informative, and authentically Catholic news and culture - November 5, 2026

“We publish inspiring daily stories, fun and shareable faith-centered infographics, prayers, Church history, and more.”

‘House of David’ Star Has a Special Moment with Pope Leo XIV — Then Leads Thousands in Prayer - Catholic actor Michael Iskander said, “These moments are especially profound for me. I see them as gifts from God, and I’m incredibly humbled and grateful for the blessings He continues to pour into my life.”

The Parade That Won All Saints’ Day: Littlest Saints Marched Through Alexandria and 5 Million People Watched - It was another gorgeous fall day on the streets of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, as darling children slipped out of their classrooms at The Basilica School of Saint Mary for an annual All Saints’ Day parade that has taken social media by storm—surpassing over 5 million views!

Dating Advice From a Catholic Priest, Father Dominic Legge - Father Dominic Legge’s “hot takes” on dating cut straight through the noise of modern swipe culture with a refreshing mix of common sense, realism, and profound respect for the human heart. “Ditch the ‘Soulmate on Day One’ pressure.”

November 5, 2026 - USCCB Daily Mass Readings

You can listen HERE — or read HERE:

Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Today’s Catholic commentary:

National Catholic Register

Colorado’s unconstitutional attack on families

By Father James de Cendra, November 4, 2026

In 2022, Colorado passed a law giving families around $6,000 per child to use at the public, private, or faith-based school of their choice. But it quickly became apparent that “Colorado Universal Preschool” (or UPK) wasn’t universal at all: It shut out schools (like St. Mary’s) that uphold the Church’s moral teachings on sexuality and gender. Meanwhile, the state conceded that other schools can use many other criteria as legitimate bases for shaping their communities. For example, schools are free to deny families enrollment based on vaccination status, neighborhood, socio-economic demographics, or disability. One state official even said a school could serve exclusively LGBTQ-identified children and families. But when it comes to Catholic schools that wish to serve Catholic families, the state cries foul. Colorado’s hypocrisy is galling. It criticizes our schools for not being inclusive, even though we serve more diverse communities than most UPK preschools.

What We Need Now

Catholic non-belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist

By Mark Regnerus, November 3, 2026

Seven years ago, a Pew survey seemed to catch American Catholic leadership off guard when it revealed that only 31% of self-identified Catholics checked the box indicating that they believed that the bread and wine actually become the body of and blood of Jesus Christ (after priestly consecration). The rest—69%—responded that these are symbols of Christ’s body and blood. In a new study appearing this month in the journal Sociological Inquiry, a pair of colleagues (Brad Vermurlen and Anne Morse) and I reveal what, if anything, has changed using a random sample of 1,049 self-identified Catholics. The answer: 29%. In other words, no statistically significant difference from the 2019 Pew survey’s estimate of 31%. Indeed, has anything changed notably among American Catholics since 1992, when a Gallup poll of American Catholics revealed that 30% endorsed a similar statement? At face value, not really.

Catholic Culture

Constantinople decided to adopt itself as equal to Rome

By Thomas V. Mirus, November 2, 2026

After affirming Pope Leo’s formulation of the doctrine of the Incarnation, the Council of Chalcedon turned its attention to various disciplinary rulings, mostly concerning clergy. However, the most consequential aspect of Chalcedon, other than its doctrinal content, was its so-called twenty-eighth canon, which, by attempting to raise the see of Constantinople to near-equality with Rome, became one of the root causes of the great Eastern schism that has lasted to this day. The Council of Nicaea invoked “ancient custom” in naming Alexandria and Antioch the pre-eminent sees aside from Rome, with the bishops of these cities pre-eminent over the other bishops in their respective civil provinces. Nicaea did not say why they were important; presumably, it was because they were apostolic sees. Rome, in the long run, would not object to Constantinople having a certain primacy beneath Rome due to that city’s importance as the seat of the Eastern Empire—but Constantinople, in the long run, would not be satisfied with even that exalted position.

Wild at Heart

The return of beauty, intimacy, and adventure

By John Eldredge, November 5, 2026

Life is the offer, friends. Let us not forget that. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10) This is the way to have eternal life — to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. (John 17:3 NLT) There is no simpler or more beautiful way to say it than this: Act Four is the restoration of life as it was always meant to be. It is the return of the beauty, the intimacy, and the adventure we were created to enjoy and have longed for every day of our lives. And yet, better, for it is immortal.

Image of peanuts by Nicole Köhler, from Pixabay

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Catholic Nutshell News: Thursday 11/5/26