National Day of Prayer, Jerusalem Fires, Father Smith Goes to the Conclave

Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for May 2, 2025. In this episode: On the National Day of Prayer (May 1), President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a religious liberty commission. Religious communities near Jerusalem are working to recover after devastating fires scorched some 5,000 acres, with arson believed to be the cause. Cardinals and representatives from the Eastern Catholic churches mourn Pope Francis during a May 2 Mass. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, now in Rome for the conclave, said amid the grieving over Pope Francis' death, there is hope and a sense of urgency. A Maryland pastor said he's got "enormous confidence" in the conclave process, since he witnessed it up close in 2005. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.

Read the stories in this episode:

Trump Religious Liberty Commission

Jerusalem Fires

Eastern Catholics Mourn Pope Francis

Cardinal Tobin: Grief, Urgency and Hope After Francis

Father Smith Goes to the Conclave

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:58 Trump Religious Liberty Commission
• 2:13 Jerusalem Fires
• 3:23 Eastern Catholics Mourn Pope Francis
• 4:38 Cardinal Tobin: Grief, Urgency and Hope After Francis
• 5:49 Father Smith Goes to the Conclave