People collect clean drinking water from a tanker sent by government authorities as part of measures to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in San Jose, Costa Rica, March 14, 2020. The Vatican said defending the right to clean water is part of the Catholic Church's promotion of the common good.

Vatican publishes document on right to water access

VATICAN CITY -- Access to clean water is an essential human right that must be defended and protected, the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development said in a new document.

    Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, papal vicar of Rome, smiles during a reception after a consistory at the Vatican in this 2018 file photo. Cardinal De Donatis was hospitalized March 30, 2020, after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus, the diocese announced.

    Cardinal vicar of Rome hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19

    ROME -- Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the papal vicar for Rome, was hospitalized after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus, the Diocese of Rome announced.

      Christ enters Jerusalem, an etching by F.P. Massau, 1849.

      God's Word on Sunday: Can we rise to the spiritual challenge?

      Passion (Palm) Sunday, April 5 (Year A) Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Mathew 26:14-27:66

      Every age calls forth prophets and teachers to guide and encourage humanity.

        George and Randa Sabat and their four children pray at home during the coronavirus lockdown of Bethlehem. Family prayer is just one spiritual exercise to enhance this Lenten journey, says Fr. Yaw Acheampong.

        Fr. Yaw Acheampong: Facing challenges opens us up to hope

        As Christians, we have been on our Lenten journey since Ash Wednesday. This year, it is a journey with unique challenges.

          Pope Francis leads a prayer service in an empty St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 27, 2020. At the conclusion of the service the pope held the Eucharist as he gave an extraordinary blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world). The service was livestreamed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

          Pope Francis gives world extraordinary blessing amid COVID-19 crisis

          VATICAN CITY -- The worldwide coronavirus pandemic is not God's judgment on humanity, but God's call on people to judge what is most important to them and resolve to act accordingly from now on, Pope Francis said.

            Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the chapel of his Vatican residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, March 26, 2020. About a dozen priests also live in the Vatican guesthouse, and news reports March 25 said one of them, an Italian monsignor working in the Vatican Secretariat of State, had tested positive for COVID-19.

            Vatican confirms Pope Francis does not have COVID-19

            VATICAN CITY -- Neither Pope Francis nor any of his closest collaborators have the COVID-19 virus, said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.

              Pope Francis leads a global recitation of the Lord's Prayer from the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican March 25, 2020. The pope and the Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant leaders who joined him for the prayer implored God's mercy on humanity amid the coronavirus pandemic.

              Pope Francis, Christian leaders around the globe join in prayer for pandemic's end

              VATICAN CITY -- Joined by Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant church leaders and faithful from around the world, Pope Francis led the recitation of the Lord's Prayer, imploring God's mercy on humanity amid the coronavirus pandemic.

                Pope Francis gives his homily during his livestreamed Mass March 24, 2020, from the chapel of his Vatican residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae. At the beginning of the Mass, the pope offered special prayers for priests, doctors and nurses who had contracted the coronavirus while caring for the sick.

                Pope Francis: Priests caring for COVID-19 patients are heroes

                VATICAN CITY -- With the number of priests and religious dying from coronavirus-related illnesses rising, Pope Francis offered his prayers for those who died after being infected helping COVID-19 patients and their communities.

                  Closed restaurants are seen in a mall after the government shut down all the shopping centers in the country due to the coronavirus disease outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand, March 23, 2020. As more and more countries start to feel the economic pinch due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis urged business leaders to seek solutions that will not hurt employees and their families.

                  'Every man for himself' is not a solution to pandemic, Pope Francis says

                  VATICAN CITY -- As more and more countries start to feel the economic pinch due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis urged business leaders to seek solutions that will not hurt employees and their families.

                    Pope Francis is seen in a window greeting a few nuns standing in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 22, 2020, after reciting his weekly Angelus prayer from the library of the Apostolic Palace. The pope announced he will give an extraordinary blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time March 27 in an "empty" St. Peter's Square because all of Italy is on lockdown to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

                    Pope Francis announces extraordinary 'urbi et orbi' blessing March 27

                    VATICAN CITY -- In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said he will give an extraordinary blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time March 27.

                      The Raising of Lazarus, by Léon Bonnat, 1857.

                      God's Word on Sunday: Restoration of life offers us reassurance

                      Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 29 (Year A) Ezekiel 37:12-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45

                      God is the source of life, but life comes in many forms.

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