In a rare direct rebuke to a U.S. president, three American cardinals urged the Trump administration to step back from foreign policy strategies and goals that threaten world peace.
Politics & Society
Posted inThe Weekly Dispatch
How Vatican diplomats tried to resolve the Trump-Maduro standoff
While the rest of the Catholic world enjoyed its Christmas Eve, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin met with Brian Burch, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, discussing a deal that would allow Venezuela’s President Nicholás Maduro to escape to a comfortable exile in Russia.
Posted inDispatches
Trump’s capture of Maduro has more support in Latin America than in the U.S.
More than a half dozen right-leaning, Latin American heads of state supported the U.S. intervention in Venezuela to depose Nicolás Maduro, including the pro-Trump leaders of Ecuador, Argentina and El Salvador.
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In Beirut, viral ‘D.J.-priest’ almost blocked from performing by hardline Christians
The Rev. Guilherme Peixoto, the “D.J. Priest” or “Padre Guilherme,” is globally popular on the techno and house music scene but a lawsuit almost kept him from spinning records in Beirut.
Posted inThe Weekly Dispatch
Trump administration strikes Venezuela—while threatening to deport Venezuelans
President Trump’s newfound concern for Venezuelans has not translated into a reversal of Trump administration decisions to terminate Biden-era temporary protected status for Venezuelans already in the United States.
Posted inDispatches
Inside Venezuela’s capital after Trump administration captures Maduro
While members of the Venezuelan diaspora in Europe and the United States celebrated Mr. Maduro’s capture, in Caracas, residents contemplated the morning’s events in an eerie silence—neither public celebrations of Mr. Maduro’s arrest nor demonstrations demanding his release were evident in Caracas neighborhoods in the immediate aftermath of the American incursion.
Posted inThe Weekly Dispatch
Mass deportation, immigration and foreign aid chaos: the most-read stories in 2025
Immigration was perhaps the biggest story of the year for many of America’s editorial departments. It surely was for Dispatches, The Weekly Dispatch and in feature writing for America magazine.
Posted inDispatches
At Christmas, a reminder of Ireland’s persistent homelessness crisis
“I know many homeless people who tell me they would love to fall asleep on the first of December and wake up on the first of January. Christmas is the most miserable time for them.”
Posted inDispatches
Chicago Catholics seek to bring Communion to detained migrants on Christmas, ICE stays silent
Faith leaders plan to once again seek access to the processing center in Broadview, Ill., to bring the Eucharist to detainees on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Posted inDispatches
‘He’s just Catholic’: Joliet voices speak on new NY archbishop Hicks
“When it comes to the culture wars, I don’t think he is interested,” said Rev. Peter Wojcik. “He doesn’t have social media accounts. I think he’s just Catholic.”