EWTN News In Depth

09/12/2026

From our friends at ChurchPOP!

Taking three babies to Mass for the first time is certainly no easy task. But for the parents of triplets Miguel, Davi, and João Gabriel, the experience was completely worth it.

The family shared a video on social media showing everything from getting ready at home to the moment the three little ones were introduced to the congregation.

09/12/2026

🇵🇪 Pope Leo XIV received the President of the Republic of Peru, José María Balcázar Zelada, at the Vatican in a cordial and significant meeting.

The talks highlighted the good relations between the Holy See and Peru, as well as the shared desire to strengthen them. They also focused on key issues for the country and the wider region: socioeconomic developments, illegal mining activity, the promotion of the common good and dialogue, social cohesion, migration, organized crime, and the repercussions of conflicts.

But the meeting also brought highly anticipated news: according to the Peruvian president, Pope Leo XIV has confirmed his intention to visit Peru in the first half of November. The expected stops would include Lima, Chiclayo, Piura, Pucallpa, and Cusco, with the possibility of other locations being added.

For Pope Leo, Peru is not just another country. In Chiclayo, he spent years as a pastor, sharing the life of the people and coming to know closely the country’s communities, its poorest areas, and its social and spiritual challenges.

The president said his private meeting with the Holy Father lasted almost two hours and described it as “magnificent and friendly.” They also discussed Peru’s political situation, the need for dialogue and an orderly transition, as well as the importance of human rights, the common good, and the dignity of migrants.

After leaving the Apostolic Palace, the president went to the Vatican Gardens, where he stopped to pray before the image of St. Rose of Lima, patroness of Peru and the first saint of the Americas.

This meeting confirms the deep bond between Pope Leo XIV and the Peruvian people, as the country awaits a possible apostolic visit that would carry enormous historical and pastoral significance.

🙏🇵🇪 Peru awaits Pope Leo.

09/12/2026

Pope Leo XIV at the Angelus: fraternal correction is a “delicate art, too often forgotten.” The Pope warned that complaining and speaking ill of others are easier, but “they accomplish nothing” and leave situations paralyzed. Instead, Christians are called to speak with frankness and charity, transforming conflicts into opportunities for growth. “The Gospel teaches us the freedom that comes through charity.”

09/12/2026

“What is your name?”

Twenty-five years ago, amid the chaos outside the Pentagon, a badly burned man heard a priest praying beside him.

“Father Steve McGraw,” the priest replied. “I’m a Catholic priest.”

The man, Juan Cruz, answered, “I’m Catholic.”

Father McGraw had been ordained only three months earlier when he witnessed Flight 77 strike the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. He grabbed his stole, holy oils, and prayer book, then ran toward the wounded.

There, he prayed with Juan, offered him absolution, and administered the Anointing of the Sick.

With conviction, Father McGraw told him:

“Jesus is with you now.”

Juan survived. Later, while recovering in the hospital, he told his family that someone had been praying at his side. Only after his wife found a photograph of that moment did they learn who that priest was.

Father McGraw’s own prayer that day was simple:

“Mary, help me stay with you at the foot of the Cross.”

Twenty-five years later, we remember the victims of September 11—and the priests, first responders, and ordinary people who brought courage, mercy, and the presence of Christ into unimaginable suffering.

Watch the full documentary, “Hope After 9/11: Stories of Faith and Courage,” on EWTN News’ YouTube channel, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, September 11, 2026.

09/12/2026

“I’m not going to sit down and cry about this. I’m going down to the World Trade Center.”

Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, 2001, Father Brian Jordan learned that his fellow Franciscan, Father Mychal Judge, had been killed at Ground Zero.

As horrified people fled the site, Father Jordan walked toward it—determined to offer whatever help he could. With holy water, a mask, and gloves, he entered a scene of unimaginable loss to pray over and bless the dead. It was a powerful witness of faith, courage, and service in the face of tragedy.

Today, 25 years later, we remember every life lost on 9/11—and all those who responded with extraordinary love and sacrifice.

Watch the full documentary, “Hope After 9/11: Stories of Faith and Courage,” on EWTN News’ YouTube channel, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, September 11, 2026.

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, 2001, Mark Tillman was flying Air Force One as the United States came under attack.

His mission was clear: keep the president safe and protect the continuity of government. With limited information, uncertainty about further threats, and the possibility that Air Force One itself could be a target, Tillman and his crew carried an extraordinary responsibility in the sky.

But before every mission, Tillman had a habit.

On the upper deck of the presidential 747, he would step into a small restroom and pray:

“God, give me the strength to make sure that everything I do is correct, and let me lead those around me to keep everybody at their highest capability.”

And as the events of that terrible day unfolded in the cockpit, his prayer became even simpler:

“Jesus, I need help.”

Twenty-five years later, we remember the courage of those who served on September 11—and the faith that sustained many of them in moments of fear, uncertainty, and impossible responsibility.

Watch the full documentary, “Hope After 9/11: Stories of Faith and Courage,” on EWTN News’ YouTube channel, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, September 11, 2026.

09/11/2026

From our friends at ChurchPOP!

A young woman decided to take a step forward in her discernment journey: to spend a period of time living in a monastery in order to get to know this vocation more closely. Her arrival was greeted with special joy by the nuns, and the moment quickly drew attention on social media.

Her arrival was greeted with special joy by the nuns, and the moment quickly drew attention on social media.

09/11/2026

“Something just said, ‘All right, I’ll take care of her.’”

Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, 2001, Paul was leaving the North Tower when he saw a woman in distress.

Her name was Judith. She was a stranger. But as the building was evacuated, Paul chose not to leave her behind.

Step by step, he helped Judith down 71 floors. Along the way, she began praying Psalm 23:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Paul began praying too.

They did not know that, as they descended, the South Tower had collapsed. They did not know how little time remained. But Paul and Judith made it out of the North Tower alive—just in time.

Twenty-five years later, their story reminds us of the extraordinary compassion shown on one of America’s darkest days: strangers helping strangers, people putting another person’s life before their own, and faith sustaining them through fear.

Watch the full documentary, “Hope After 9/11: Stories of Faith and Courage,” on EWTN News’ YouTube channel, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, September 11, 2026.

09/09/2026

“Faith-led human genius is what is going to take us bravely into the next step of the impact that technology can have.”

AI is changing the world—but Catholics don’t have to take a backseat.

In this conversation, the speakers reflect on technology’s power to disrupt, create, and reshape society—and why faith-led founders, builders, and parish leaders should help guide AI toward the common good.

“We’re made in God’s image” not only to see the world’s imperfections, but to help solve them.

How can the Church bring human dignity, moral clarity, and faith-led ingenuity into the future of AI?

Watch Beyond Fear: A Catholic Vision for Artificial Intelligence on Youtube.com/ starting tonight at 6:30pm ET

09/05/2026

From our friends at Churchpop!

“I promised St. Francis that, if I was able to bring my children home alive, I would return to thank him and present them to him at the Basilica.”

“I promised St. Francis that, if I was able to bring my children home alive, I would return to thank him and present them to him.”