Pope Francis, in a video message recorded on their bishop’s cellphone, encouraged Catholics in Hong Kong and in mainland China to be strong in the face of challenges, to be good citizens and to pray for him as he prays for them.
Vatican
Vatican Releases Pope Francis’ Lent, Holy Week, Easter Schedule
The Vatican published Pope Francis’ calendar for Holy Week and Easter, which includes the Way of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum for the first time in two years.
Pope Francis Promulgates Curia Reform, Emphasizing Church’s Missionary Nature
Nine years after taking office, Pope Francis promulgated his constitution reforming the Roman Curia, a project he began with his international College of Cardinals shortly after taking office in 2013.
Pope Asks Bishops Worldwide to Join Consecration of Ukraine, Russia
Pope Francis has asked bishops around the world to join him March 25 in consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, something bishops in every part of the globe had started announcing the minute they heard what the pope had planned.
Cardinal Czerny Meets Refugees in Slovakia, Ukraine
Continuing the mission entrusted to him by Pope Francis, Cardinal Michael Czerny visited Slovakia and a Ukrainian border town to convey the pope’s closeness to victims of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Pope Francis Prays For an End to War in Ukraine
Asking God to forgive all people tempted by violence, Pope Francis prayed for an end to the war in Ukraine and the fratricidal killing of both combatants and civilians caught in the crossfire.
Pope Francis Says ‘Rivers of Blood’ Flowing in Ukraine; Vatican Ready to Help
Pope Francis said the Vatican “is ready to do everything to put itself at the service of peace” in Ukraine.
Cardinal Cacciavillan, Former Nuncio to U.S., Dies at 95
Italian Cardinal Agostino Cacciavillan, a former nuncio to the United States and the retired head of the Vatican investment office, died March 5 at the age of 95.
Celibacy Not ‘Divine Law’ for Priests, but Promotes Holiness, Speakers Say
The requirement that most priests in the Latin rite of the Catholic Church be celibate has theological and spiritual foundations and not only practical motivations, said speakers at an international conference on priesthood.
Diocese Returns to Traditional Distribution of Ashes
Priests in the Diocese of Brooklyn will resume placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful this Ash Wednesday, March 2 — a tradition that was shelved last year in the wake of concerns about the spread of COVID-19.