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Hello, I'm Maggie Murray of OSV News, and this is your OSV Newscast for Tuesday, October 27, 2026. Let's catch you up on the Catholic News of the Day. Here we go. Several U.S. bishops are offering regrets after a video of an Oval Office meeting with President Trump, released by the White House less than two weeks before the midterm elections, has sparked controversy. Critics said the video, which shows the bishops praying over Trump, risked creating the appearance of an endorsement. Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee, who attended the meeting, publicly apologized on October 25th, saying the video was publicized by the administration without the consent of the participants. Please know that my intention was never to cause confusion, anger, or disappointment among the people entrusted to my care, he said. Denver Archbishop James Golka said he knew the visit might be used for political purposes, but that was never my intention. I thought that this is what Catholics do. We pray for people, he said. The U.S. Bishops Conference has long held that it will not endorse or oppose candidates, pointing Catholics instead to its forming consciences for faithful citizenship guide. A conference spokesperson said the organization had no role in the meeting. 10% of Catholics surveyed reported experiencing discrimination within their parish community, and 11% within Catholic education. The survey of 2,401 self-identified Catholics was conducted online from May 15th to June 30th. Most respondents agreed with statements drawn from church documents on racism, though awareness of the texts themselves was mixed. Nearly half, 49%, said they would like to hear more at their parishes about church teaching on racism. Still, most respondents considered racism a social rather than religious issue, one outranked by concerns like inflation, unemployment, poverty, immigration, and fuel prices. Ethiopia's Orthodox Christian leaders are urging the federal government to step in after armed assailants killed 60 believers in two rural attacks south of the capital. Opening their plenary assembly October 26th in Addis Ababa, the bishops of the Holy Synod condemned the bloodshed as a reprehensible inhumane deed that violates basic human rights and freedom of religion. The violence struck farming communities in the RC zone, roughly 120 miles south of Addis Ababa. Church officials reported 14 people killed October 20th in the Murti district, followed by an October 24th assault that left 46 dead across several villages in the neighboring Shirka. More than 20 people were severely wounded and 20 homes were burned. Authorities blamed the Alliance for Survival, an armed rebel network that includes the Oromo Liberation Army, though the group has historically denied targeting civilians. Warning that violence against Orthodox Christians is escalating, church leaders called on security forces to deploy immediately, prevent further assaults, and bring the attackers to justice. Just days before she takes up her new post, the Vatican's incoming Prefect for the Dicastery of Communications is describing the role as a privilege and honor and a great adventure. Monse Alvarado, appointed by Pope Leo XIV on June 2nd while serving as president and COO of EWTN News, begins as prefect of the Dicastery for Communication on November 1st. My entire life has been a surrender to Jesus Christ and his church in the hopes that others would have a relationship with him, she said in an interview with EWTN News in depth. The fact that God could use me as an instrument for something so great is incredibly humbling. Alvarado said she has been meeting with the Pope to understand what he desires for the Dicastery. In no way am I imposing a vision, she said. I'm very much receiving one and executing it. At 39, she will be the youngest prefect of the Roman Curia and the first layman who is not a religious sister to lead a dicastery. Archbishop Gabrielle Caccia, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, visited Baltimore on October 25th, a reminder of the Holy See's close ties to the nation's oldest Catholic See. Celebrating morning mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Vatican diplomat urged Catholics to bear witness through acts of love and service, especially toward the vulnerable and lonely. He noted that Baltimore became home to the nation's first Catholic diocese in 1789, when Pope Pius VI appointed Bishop John Carroll as the country's first bishop. While the Basilica is a visible monument to that legacy, he said, it is the faithful who keep the history alive. You are the living stones, Archbishop Kacha told the congregation. The Lord doesn't need bricks only, he needs witnesses. After Mass, the nuncio prayed in the Basilica Crypt at the tomb of Archbishop Carroll and later Wreath, joined by Archbishop William Laurie and other Baltimore bishops. And that's your OSV Newscast for today. I'm Maggie Murray of OSV News. Check out the show notes for direct links to the stories in this episode. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast, follow us on social media, and bookmark osvnews.com. Thanks so much for listening and God bless. This has been an OSV News production. To learn more, visit OSVnews.com.