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Hello, I'm Gina Christian, and you're listening to our OSV newscast for Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the feast of Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop.
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Today's Saint lived during the fourth century.
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He was born into a Roman military family in what's now Hungary, and he became a soldier.
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While he was stationed in the Roman province of Gaul, which was mostly modern-day France, he encountered a beggar and cut his own military cloak in two to clothe him.
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That beggar turned out to be Christ.
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Martin was later baptized and eventually left the army to become a monk and later a bishop.
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He was known for his simplicity, his care for the suffering, and for his efforts to bring peace.
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St.
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Martin of Tours, pray for us.
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Now let's catch you up on the Catholic news of the day.
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Here we go.
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More than two million people gathered at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lujan on November 11th, as Pope Leo XIV celebrated the closing mass of his visit to Argentina.
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The Pope urged the nation to rise up and walk on paths of reconciliation, communion, and mission.
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Pilgrims spent the night singing, praying, and waving Argentine flags around the country's most important Marian shrine.
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In his homily, Pope Leo outlined a four-step path for the nation: reconciliation, listening to God's word, communion, and mission.
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He encouraged people who feel tired, disappointed, or disoriented to look to Scripture for guidance, adding, We need a compass, a guide, and indeed we already have it in sacred scripture.
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Pope Leo also recalled Pope Francis, who frequently visited Lujan, and he said the late Pope always carried the Patroncita Morena, or the dark-skinned patroness, in his heart, and taught Catholics through his life to love and venerate Mary.
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Calling for a church that makes room for everyone, especially the poor and the hungry, migrants, the sick, and prisoners, Pope Leo said Christians are called to serve others faithfully in daily life.
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He said, Go and evangelize, proclaim the joy of the gospel through words and good deeds.
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Argentina, rise up and walk.
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Before departing for Peru, he thanked Argentines for welcoming him with open arms, adding, I have indeed felt at home.
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And excitement is sweeping northern Peru as Chiclayo prepares to welcome Pope Leo XIV home this week.
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City Hall glowed in Vatican yellow and white
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ahead of the Pope's November 13th arrival in the diocese he led as bishop for eight years.
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Known locally as Padre Roberto, the American-born pope built deep ties in Chiclayo, wading through floodwaters and riding mules to remote parishes.
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And nowhere is that bond more colorful than outside St.
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Mary's Cathedral, where rival restaurants claim his patronage.
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El Trebol showcases the Blessed Table, where the future Pope enjoyed traditional fried pork, while Las Americas proudly displays a photo of the Pope eating goat stew.
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Beyond the recipe rivalry, locals hope their former shepherd brings healing to a community plagued by rising crime.
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As one longtime waiter put it, they aren't just greeting a global leader, they're welcoming family back home.
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Eduard Montoya has run El Trebol for the past eleven years, and when OSV News asked him what Pope Leo's return to Chiclayo meant to him, he said, it means the love he has for this land and for us.
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An enormous joy and satisfaction to have him home again.
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The message being shared here is that he isn't just visiting Chiclayo, he is returning home.
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Oscaramirez Flores, who has worked as a waiter at Las Americas for four decades, said, I'd give him a hug.
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A hug that I don't think Pope Leo XIV would deny me.
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As Pope Leo XIV prepares to return to Peru, his goddaughter, Mildred Camacho, says she'd rather celebrate among the crowds than receive special treatment because of her family connection.
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Camacho, who was named after the Pope's late mother, Mildred Prevost, has signed up as a volunteer for papal events in Chiclayo.
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And while she'd welcomed the chance to greet the Pope personally, she told OSV News she's equally excited to join ordinary Peruvians in celebrating his visit.
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Her story dates back to the future Pope's missionary years in Chulucanas.
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After learning that then Father Robert Prevost was mourning the death of his mother, Camacho's father, Hector, asked permission to name his unborn daughter after Mildred and invited the priest to become her godfather.
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Camacho said she's always viewed her unusual name as a blessing and a sign of affection.
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Although she met Pope Leo during a July Vatican audience, she acknowledged his responsibilities as Pope have made personal contact less frequent.
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She also recalled her concern after learning of his October lung surgery and said prayers offered by Catholics around the world brought her comfort.
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Now, as the Pope returns to Peru, Camacho hopes to receive his blessing and see the realization of her godfather's dream of a more united, charitable, and compassionate society.
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France's bishops used their November 3rd through 5th plenary assembly in Lourdes to confront the country's deepening education crisis, as strikes, school blockades, and political battles over funding have pushed the issue to the forefront of public debate.
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Church leaders said concerns about young people's anxiety and uncertainty prompted a major Catholic education initiative launched in 2025 and continuing through 2028.
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Bishop Benoit Bertrand of Pontois said the bishops did not foresee the issue becoming so urgent.
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Catholic schools in France educate over 2 million students in over 7,200 schools.
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That's about 17% of the nation's total student population.
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The assembly came days after French lawmakers debated a measure to end government funding for teachers in Catholic schools.
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It was ultimately rejected, averting what Catholic education leaders warned could have triggered widespread school closures and added pressure to an already strained public system.
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Guillaume Plebo, Secretary General of Education, said, We believe that the Catholic education system is an asset for the entire country.
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But we try as much as possible to reach out to everyone, including those who criticize it.
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The bishops also expressed concern about growing social tensions ahead of France's 2027 presidential election, and they said they hope to encourage discernment and help lower a political climate marked by fear, anger, and polarization.
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And finally, Catholic Charities agencies across the United States are playing a vital role in helping veterans secure stable housing amid a 56% decline in veteran homelessness nationwide between 2009 and 2025.
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Through Catholic Charities USA, local agencies operate veteran-focused housing programs, funded primarily by the U.S.
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Department of Veterans Affairs and in partnership with other housing organizations.
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Minnesota recently announced it's effectively ended chronic homelessness among veterans.
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Still, Twin Cities Catholic Charities in Minneapolis-St.
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Paul continues to connect veterans with government housing assistance, and it reserves 34 units for veterans within its portfolio of 1,100 housing units.
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Keith Kuzersky, the agency's chief program officer, said the organization sees housing and support services as a way to honor the sacrifices veterans made for the nation.
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Catholic Charities Baltimore takes the same view.
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Kelly Anderson, director of Sarah's House, an emergency shelter supported by the U.S.
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Army, said serving veterans is a way of caring for those who have protected the country.
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Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington also has dedicated housing for homeless vets.
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St.
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Michael's Haven in Walla Walla, located next to a VA hospital, is a newly renovated historic complex made up of 40 permanent units for veterans.
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David Sackman is vice president of stabilization for Catholic Charities Eastern Washington, and he said the housing is important for us as a community.
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And he added, it's important to us as a country to be taking care of the folks that have served us and sacrificed for us.
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And that's your OSV Newscast for today.
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I'm Gina Christian.
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Check out the show notes for a link to our website.
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That's where you can find the stories in this episode.
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Please do make sure to subscribe to this podcast, give us a follow on social media, and bookmark osvnews.com.
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Shout out to our listeners all around the world.
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Keep checking in and stay with us as we continue to cover Pope Leo's South American Apostolic Journey.
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Thanks so much for listening and God bless.
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This has been an OSV News production.
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To learn more, visit osvnews.com.