1. The papal conclave begins May 7, with the world watching for the traditional white smoke signaling a new pope has been elected: Here is where and when to watch. The Pontifical Missions Societies USA is inviting the faithful to pray — not only for the assembly as a whole, but for a specific cardinal elector. With 135 cardinals eligible to vote in the conclave, 11 are either from or have direct ties to the United States, and a visible group of Gen X and millennial cardinals is also bringing fresh energy and communication savvy.
2. The U.S. Supreme Court on April 30 heard oral argument in a case concerning the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City’s effort to establish the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, which would be the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school if it survives the challenge.
3. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., suggested April 29 the budget blueprint President Donald Trump calls “one big, beautiful bill” could be used as a vehicle to “redirect funds away from big abortion and to federally qualified health centers.” He made the comments in a keynote address at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s gala.
4. Personal encouragement to consider priesthood, along with regular Eucharistic adoration, continue to be key factors for young men seeking to become priests, according to the 2025 “Survey of Ordinands to the Priesthood.” The report comes in advance of the 62nd annual World Day of Prayer for Vocations, celebrated this year on May 11.
5. Before Canadians headed to the polls for federal elections April 28, the country’s Catholic bishops urged the faithful to vote with conscience, hope and a heart rooted in Gospel values. In a pastoral letter highlighting key concerns, the bishops pointed to the lack of legal safeguards for the unborn, the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying, and limited access to palliative care.
6. In Rome, joy and sorrow filled the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls on April 28, as pilgrims from around the world gathered for the Jubilee of People with Disabilities — just days after the death of Pope Francis. Families, caregivers and individuals with disabilities celebrated Mass together, sharing stories of faith, resilience and hope for the next pope.
7. Can 1 million frozen embryos be placed for adoption? “Without definitive magisterial teaching on all aspects of embryo adoption, faithful Catholics can and do take differing positions on this question,” said Joseph Meaney, past president and senior fellow of the National Catholic Bioethics Center.
8. The Trump administration has hit a legal snag in its efforts to limit collective bargaining rights for nearly 160,000 federal workers. On April 25, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman blocked full enforcement of a March 27 executive order at over 30 federal agencies where employees are represented by the National Treasury Employees Union.
9. As cardinals gather in Rome ahead of the May 7 conclave, thousands of pilgrims are flocking to the Basilica of St. Denis in Argenteuil, France, to venerate what’s believed to be the holy tunic of Jesus — the seamless robe described in the Gospels, which is on display until May 11.
10. Five years ago — on May 1, 2020 — the U.S. bishops consecrated the United States to Mary for protection during the early, fearful days of the COVID-19 pandemic. This wasn’t the first time America was dedicated to Mary: similar consecrations took place in 1792, 1846, and 1959, each a sign of the church’s enduring trust in Mary’s intercession in times of national crisis.
The post Embryo adoption, Jesus’ tunic, priesthood survey | Week in Review first appeared on OSV News.
