Pope Francis meets with Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest and Hungary, the former head of external relations for the Moscow Patriarchate, in the Vatican nunciature in Budapest April 29, 2023.

Mystery mission: Details murky on Pope Francis' push for peace in Ukraine

When Pope Francis told reporters the Vatican had some kind of "mission" underway to promote an end to the war in Ukraine, journalists naturally were intrigued.

Pope Francis kisses the encolpion, an icon Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic bishops wear instead of a pectoral cross, as he greets Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, director of external relations for the Russian Orthodox Church, at the end of the pope's general audience May 3, 2023, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

After praying for peace in Ukraine, Pope Francis greets Russian Orthodox official

Shortly after urging people to pray the rosary for peace and entrusting the people of Ukraine to Mary's care, Pope Francis met briefly with Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, director of external relations for the Russian Orthodox Church.

Pope Francis listens to a question from Spanish journalist Eva Fernández during his flight from Hungary back to Rome April 30, 2023.

Pope Francis on plane talks about Ukraine, returning artifacts to Canada

The Holy See has a project underway related to peace between Russia and Ukraine, but Pope Francis told reporters he could not talk about it yet.

God's Word on Sunday: Jesus suffered to heal, transform humanity

God's Word on Sunday: Jesus suffered to heal, transform humanity

Fourth Sunday of Easter (Year A) April 30 (Acts 2:14a, 36b-41; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:20b-25; John 10:1-10)

Many terrible things are done by ordinary, otherwise decent, people. It is easy to demonize a few villains and lay the blame on them, but what about when many have a hand — directly or indirectly — in the crime? Most of the time this is due to ignorance. People are not really aware of the true state of affairs or the consequences of their actions. Reality is refracted through a lens of fear, prejudices and commonly held opinions — usually wrong. Many are easily manipulated by purveyors of misinformation (lies) and demagogues.

Is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre really the holiest place in Christianity? Or is it where Christ’s Resurrection is known by the life of the Church?

Finding holiness in God next door

“Christianity’s holiest site,” a news story said, is Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher, “the place where Christians believe Jesus died and was buried.”

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal gives Pope Francis a book during a meeting in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican April 27, 2023. The book contained photos documenting the damage inflicted on Ukraine by Russian bombing.

Pope Francis meets Ukrainian prime minister at Vatican

After a half-hour private meeting in the library of the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis gave the prime minister of Ukraine a bronze plaque featuring a bird and a flower alongside the inscription, "Peace is a fragile flower."

Xavière Missionary Sister Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops, speaks to Iacopo Scaramuzzi, a reporter for La Repubblica, in the Vatican press office April 26, 2023. The Vatican had just announced Pope Francis' decision to have women and laymen as voting members of the synod.

Pope Francis decides women will be voting members of Synod of Bishops

At least three dozen women will be voting members of the assembly of the Synod of Bishops in October, Pope Francis has decided.

A stained-glass window depicting "Christ the King and Lord of the Universe" is seen in the Cathedral of St. Peter in Wilmington, Del., May 27, 2021.

God's Word on Sunday: Jesus’ end on the Cross was just the beginning

Third Sunday of Easter (Year A) April 23 (Acts 2:14, 22b-28; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:17-21; Luke 24:13-35)

A rapid survey of the world reveals a very distressing panorama of violence, cruelty and injustice. The question that many shout heavenward is, “Where is God in all this?” But God is many steps ahead of humanity and is far more powerful than the worst that they can do.

U.S. Archbishop J. Augustine Di Noia, adjunct secretary of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, looks on as Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the dicastery, speaks to Pope Francis about the work of the Pontifical Biblical Commission during an audience April 20, 2023, in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican.

Suffering is a reality to explore, not ignore, Pope Francis says

Suffering and death are human realities that raise questions people need to ask themselves, Pope Francis said.

The top of the processional cross that will be used at the coronation of King Charles III in May is seen on the altar of an Anglican parish in Llandudo, Wales, April 19, 2023. Relics of the Christ's cross, a gift from Pope Francis, are under glass in the centre of the processional cross.

Vatican sends relic of true cross to Britain's King Charles

As Britain's King Charles III walks into Westminster Abbey for his coronation, he will walk behind a processional cross containing a relic of Christ's cross given to the king by Pope Francis.

God's Word on Sunday: Nothing will break those united in the Lord

God's Word on Sunday: Nothing will break those united in the Lord

Second Sunday of Easter (Year A) April 16 (Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 118; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31)

Unity is a source of great power and strength both for good and for ill. Totalitarian regimes of all types force their people to be as lockstep as possible. There is no room for individuality or independent thinking. We rightly fear this sort of unity, although there has been a disturbing drift in its direction in recent years.

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