Syria Violence, USAID Slashed, Pope Francis Joins Lenten Retreat

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think. God bless!Gina Christian of OSV News catches you up on the Catholic news of the day for March 10, 2025. In this episode: Dr. Tim Millea of the Catholic Medical Association told OSV News that efforts to promote Restorative Reproductive Medicine as an alternative to infertility interventions such as IVF, which is against church teaching, require greater awareness -- especially from the Trump administration, which as expanded IVF access -- in order to gain traction. Christian leaders in Syria are condemning violent clashes between pro-Assad militants and other forces that have left hundreds of Alawite Muslim and Christian civilians dead. Belmont Abbey College is expanding its campus permanently into the nation's capital. The surviving programs of the former U.S. Agency for International Development -- about 18% of the former agency's efforts -- will now be overseen by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The cuts to USAID have left a number of faith-based organizations such as Catholic Relief Services and those they serve reeling. Pope Francis participated by video link in portions of the Lenten retreat for senior officials of the Roman Curia and other Vatican officials, with his condition showing improvement though still requiring continued hospitalization. Tune in and visit us online at osvnews.com.Read the stories in this podcast:Restorative Reproductive MedicineSyria ViolenceBelmont Abbey CollegeUSAID and Catholic Relief Services CollectionPope Francis and Lenten Retreat