Putin agrees to trilateral talks with Ukraine, US to end war

By Josh Christenson
Published Oct. 21, 2026, 10:02 a.m. ET


WASHINGTON — Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to return to trilateral negotiations with the US and Ukraine to end its war, a Kremlin official told reporters Wednesday.

Moscow’s foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said that Putin said “in principle” peace talks will continue after Nov. 10, following a meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg.

Witkoff met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Oslo, Norway, on Tuesday to weigh a proposal that laid out Kyiv’s security guarantees, economic recovery funds and other items, before heading to Russia to present the document to Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with US special envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting at the Constantine Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.via REUTERS

Ushakov said Wednesday following the sitdown with Witkoff that future trilateral talks will focus on “building a security system for Russia and Ukraine after the conflict ends” — another item that was to be considered as part of the peace proposal, a source previously told The Post.

The about-face comes after the Russian leader had resisted summits with Trump and Zelensky to wind down the more than four-year war.

Raging at Zelensky last week over Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy sites, Trump also floated excluding the embattled nation from trilateral talks — and inviting China and Russia to meet with the US instead.

The president has groused that the destruction of Russian oil refineries by Ukrainian drones has tanked global energy markets, prompting him to announce a deal with Putin on Oct. 9 to waive sanctions and buy up some portion of those exports.

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Satanic prayer causes uproar at city council meeting

CHAD DRURY Courier staff writer


OTTUMWA — An invocation at the beginning of Tuesday's Ottumwa City Council meeting overshadowed everything else that took place over the course of 80 minutes.

Resident and former council member Matt Dalbey read a satanic prayer — capped off by "Hail Satan" — to kick off the meeting at City Hall, leading to a reaction from New Life Center pastor Rick Bick during a contentious opening few minutes of the meeting.

In a private message, Dalbey said the prayer is used by the Satanic Temple of Iowa, of which he is a member, "but has nothing to do with the belief in a satanic deity."

The Satanic Temple of Iowa is "a resolutely non-theistic" religious organization that follows seven core tenants, according to its website.

Soon after Dalbey left the podium and after the council, staff and audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance, Bick had his turn, and was out of turn with the meeting's protocol of speaking on agenda items.

"Let's just reverse this curse that was put on our city. That 'Hail Satan' is not welcome here," Bick said.

Council member Cara Galloway, who has never stood for an invocation, said that Bick should speak during the portion of the meeting where citizens can speak on either agenda or non-agenda items; Bick spoke after the roll call was taken and the council was to discuss the consent agenda.

"It needs to be done now," he said. "I appreciate what Ms. Galloway is saying, but that was a curse put on the city. Most of you know that, and we need to just stop and reverse it."

Mayor Benjamin Foote then called for a 30-second moment of silence "to reflect on whatever it is we need to reflect on at this time," but again, Galloway said "it was time to move forward" before being overruled by the mayor.

Dalbey's invocation was within the scope of the city's invocation policy, which was approved Jan. 20, with Galloway the only council member to vote against it. In part, the policy says:

Vatican document affirms interreligious dialogue as 'journey of hope' for humanity

Pope Leo XIV greets Silviu Vexler, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania, during a ceremony honoring Blessed Iuliu Hossu in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican June 2, 2025. (CNS/Vatican Media)

Gina Christian
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OSV News

September 17, 2026

A new Vatican document affirms the Second Vatican Council's landmark teaching on the church's relationship with the Jewish people and those of other faiths, while inviting humanity to enter upon a common "journey of hope."

That journey requires "courage" and "a genuine shift in mindset" to seek "peaceful coexistence" amid "unprecedented challenges," including conflicts, persecution, the weaponization of religion, secularization and polarization, said the document.

And rather than looking to found "one great world religion," authentic interreligious dialogue aims to build "a fraternal society capable of accepting differences," said the text.

On Sept. 16, the Vatican released "A Journey of Hope: Sixty Years of Interreligious Dialogue and Fraternity in the Light of the Conciliar Declaration Nostra Aetate."

The 8,600-word note was the result of a collaboration among the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity — which also oversees religious relations with Judaism — and the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.

Pope Leo XIV had granted approval of the text on June 22, with official publication taking place Sept. 16.

The five-part "Journey of Hope" began by retracing the "essential stages" in the Church's interreligious dialogue since the 1965 promulgation of Nostra Aetate, including the contributions of Pope Leo XIV and his four predecessors.

The note then examined the "visible" and "silent" fruits of Nostra Aetate, as well as the "persistent resistance and misunderstandings" that surround the conciliar document.

In their note, the three dicasteries called for a renewed "pedagogy of dialogue," one that puts into practice an informed encounter between Catholic and those of other beliefs.

The Tri-Abrahamic Dialogue on the Climate Crisis

August 11, 2026


Register for the second webinar of The Tri-Abrahamic Dialogue on the Climate Crisis: What Do Our Faiths Demand?, Sacred Guidance for a Planet in Crisis: A Call to Justice, Compassion, and Hope on Thursday, September 3 at 2:00 pm Central.

This dialogue will explore what key faith teachings and documents—including Laudato Si’, Laudate Deum, Al-Mizan: A Covenant for the Earth, and important Jewish teachings on creation and justice—can teach us about a just and faithful response to the climate crisis. The webinar seeks to foster a deeper understanding, shared moral responsibility, and collaborative action among Christians, Muslims, and Jews to address the urgent challenges facing our common home. This event is provided in partnership with the First Analysis Institute of Integrative Studies.

Speakers include:Imam Saffet Catovic
Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv.
Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin

Moderated by Erin Lothes.

Click here to register.



Posted in:
Blog, Climate Action, Community Events

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Pope: Christians and Muslims must work together to ‘revive humanity'

Pope Leo greets participants in the colloquium (@Vatican Media)


In a meeting with participants in an interfaith colloquium, Pope Leo calls on Christians and Muslims to “revive humanity where it has grown cold” and "transform indifference into solidarity”.


By Joseph Tulloch

Pope Leo met on Monday morning with members of Jordan’s Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies and of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.

The members of the Royal Institute, which was founded under the patronage of Jordan’s Prince Hasan bin Talal, were in Rome for a colloquium on “Human Compassion and Empathy in Modern Times”.

READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE POPE'S ADDRESS HERE

Pope Leo with Cardinal Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue (@Vatican Media)

BREAKING: U.S. Destroyers ENTER Hormuz; Iran Talks COLLAPSE; IDF Sieges Hezbollah | TBN Israel

US lawmakers visit Cuba as embargo pressure intensifies

 

P.S.

Thinking of Cuba's 1959 Socialist Revolution brings to mind the idiom:

 "You've made your bed, now lie in it"

Pope Leo says Iran war 'worse and worse,' renews ceasefire call

 

The pope urges an end to Iran conflict

01-03-2026 02:50 PM

Ammon News -Pope Leo XIV said Sunday he was “profoundly concerned” about the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and urged both sides to “stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss.”

In the first reaction to the attacks, the American pope called for the resumption of diplomacy and a “reasonable, authentic and responsible” dialogue based on justice. Weapons, he said, only sow “destruction, pain and death.”

“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions, I make a heartfelt appeal to the parties involved to assume their moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss,” Leo said.

AP

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Strait Showdown: Iran Launches "Smart Control" Exercise At Oil Transit Point

by Tyler Durden

Monday, Feb 16, 2026 - 01:00 PM


Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) kicked off naval drills Monday in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to state media.

The exercise, dubbed "Smart Control of Hormuz Strait," is being carried out by IRGC naval forces under the direct supervision of the Guards' top command, state television reported, with semi-official Tasnim news agency describing the drills as testing combat readiness against "possible security and military threats." Energy markets are watching closely.

IRNA: IRGC Navy conducts a hybrid, live exercise dubbed "Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz."

Under the supervision of IRGC Commander-in-Chief Major General Mohammad Pakpour, a state media press release described the exercise further as "A rapid, decisive, and comprehensive response to maritime security threats form the core focus of the intelligence and operational components of the units deployed during the exercise."

Indirect nuclear talks between the US and Iran have lately resumed after collapsing when Israel launched strikes on Iran in June 2025, igniting a 12-day conflict that included US attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities - with another round of negotiations scheduled for Tuesday in Geneva, with Oman serving as mediator.

The timing is no coincidence, given that late last week President Trump announced he was dispatching a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, while continuing to warn that military action against Iran remains on the table.

The IRGC has been conducing sporadic and in some cases unannounced drills in regional waters in order to demonstrate to Washington the Islamic Republic's military readiness.

Two weeks ago, when some of the first drills kicked off, US Central Command (CENTCOM) warned the IRGC it better be careful in the vicinity of US naval assets.

"We will not tolerate unsafe IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) actions including overflight of U.S. military vessels engaged in flight operations, low-altitude or armed overflight of U.S. military assets when intentions are unclear, highspeed boat approaches on a collision course with U.S. military vessels, or weapons trained at U.S. forces," CENTCOM said at the time.

Vatican: Pope Leo Deeply Concerned Over US-Cuba Tensions, Demands Effect...

International Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity

2 Feb – 8 Feb 2026
Invitation Only

Launch of sixth phase of dialogue

Members of the International Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on Unity inaugurate their sixth phase of dialogue after a lengthy preparation period.

The gathering will be hosted by the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovenia and will be focusing, in its first stage, on drafting a joint statement to mark the 500th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession in 2030.

The document, originally designed to reconcile differences within the 16th century church, has important implications for both Lutherans and Catholics today.



Cardinal Kurt Koch led a delegation from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity to the LWF Communion Office in Geneva on 14 January for a joint staff meeting with the two dialogue partners. Photo: LWF/A. Danielsson

Time:
2 Feb – 8 Feb 2026
All day
Location:Moravske Toplice, Slovenia

Languages:English, Deutsch

Contact
Rev. Dr Dirk Lange
Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations
Contact by email

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzer...

A look at highlights of Vatican II on 60th anniversary of its wrap

An undated photo shows prelates during the Council Hall in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican during the third session of the Second Vatican Council. (OSV News photo/Ernst Herb, KNA)

December 7, 2025
By Alexander Brüggemann

The Second Vatican Council, which after three years of dialogue and document drafting closed on Dec. 8, 1965, changed the face of the church, and opened it to the modern world. The council, opened under Pope John XXIII and closed under his successor, Pope Paul VI, initiated a comprehensive renewal, with major council texts released on hot-button church issues. As the church commemorates 60 years since the closing of Vatican II, here are seven key issues and documents that serve as its legacy for future generations.

Pope Paul VI sits in the “cathedra” or bishop’s chair during the Second Vatican Council in July 1965 in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (OSV News photo/Ernst Herb, KNA)

Understanding of the church: “Lumen gentium” (1964), one of the four primary constitutions of the council, sets out the new self-understanding of the Roman Catholic Church. It defines the church as a community of believers, as the “people of God” on their journey through time. In this constantly reforming church, a “common priesthood” of all believers is emphasized — something realized in different forms with clergy and laity. The constitution emphasizes the role of the college of bishops who lead the church “with Peter and under Peter,” as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI, reminded years later. In several decrees, the council drafted guidelines for a contemporary form of Christian life and service in spiritual vocations for priests, religious and laity. The importance of the vocation of the laity is emphasized by the council fathers and the training of priests was reorganized. The church’s missionary activity was given a new theological foundation in the decree “Ad gentes.” In the decree “Christus dominus” (1965), on the episcopal pastoral office in the church, the leadership function of the bishop in his diocese was strengthened.

Why Should I Care About Jewish-Catholic Relations?

Reflective comments on Fr General's Speech - IAJU 2025 Assembly

 
Reflective comments on Fr General's Speech - IAJU 2025 Assembly

International Association of Jesuit Universities

Sep 29, 2025

In response to the powerful address delivered by Fr. Arturo Sosa, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus, titled “The Jesuit University: Witness to Hope, Creative and Dialogical Presence,” the opening plenary of the 2025 International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) Assembly gathered institutional leaders to reflect and discern concrete paths forward.

Conference: ‘Religious Education – Fit for the Present and Future?’

 

Conference: ‘Religious Education – Fit for the Present and Future?’


Secretariat COMECE

Jun 16, 2025

The conference “Religious Education: Fit for Present and Future? The Role of Religion in the Formation of Young Generations at the European Schools” was held at the Chapel for Europe, Brussels, on Wednesday, 4 June 2025. Amid ongoing discussions on educational reform, this event aimed to spark dialogue on the role of Religious Education within the unique setting of the European Schools, underlining its significance for today’s youth. The event featured contribution from members of the entire educational community: learners, teachers, parents and experts. It was organised by COMECE, the religious authorities responsible for Religion at the European Schools and the Chapel for Europe.

Raisina Dialogue 2025 Announcement | Kālachakra - People, Peace and Planet

Tulsi Gabbard’s Full Speech in India: Trump and Modi’s Peace Vision 2025

Vatican & World News 09.11.2024