Analysis: Brief Malta Trip Captures Challenges of Pope Francis’ Papacy

In another of his “blink and you’ll miss it” overseas trips, generally one or two-day affairs within Europe and the Mediterranean, Pope Francis arrives Saturday morning on the island nation of Malta and will be on the ground just 18 hours, returning to the Vatican by Sunday night.

ARTWORK WITH PART2

Advocate Says Vatican Curia Changes Allow Women in Management, Not Ministry

One of the nation’s foremost champions for the cause of female deacons considers the Vatican’s new apostolic constitution — which in part opens top Vatican leadership roles to any baptized layperson, including women — an important step for Pope Francis’s vision, but not necessarily one that affects the future of women in the diaconate.

Seattle Archdiocese Redeveloping Property Into Affordable Housing

The Archdiocese of Seattle and its St. James Cathedral will sell and redevelop four properties in the city’s First Hill neighborhood as part of a project that aims to create affordable housing and steer the neighborhood towards carbon neutrality.

Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez Retires After Pope Francis Accepts Resignation

Pope Francis on Wednesday morning accepted the resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Paul R. Sanchez of Brooklyn. Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Paul Sanchez of Brooklyn remembers in 2012 when he received the call that Pope Benedict had named him auxiliary bishop, the apostolic nuncio told him that “you will be very happy in this ministry.”

Polish Archbishop Updates Pope on aid to Ukraine Refugees

Polish Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki of Poznan told Pope Francis that the Catholic Church in Poland is continuing its efforts to assist the countless refugees from Ukraine fleeing Russia’s destructive war in the country.

Pope Francis to Listen to Canadian Indigenous Before Addressing Group

In three separate meetings March 28 and March 31, Pope Francis will listen to the experiences of representatives of Canada’s Indigenous communities, experiences that include being sent as children to residential schools operated by Catholic dioceses and religious orders.