Pope Francis has invited all bishops to join him in an Act of Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25, at noon Eastern Time.
Vatican
At train stations and borders, Ukrainians face human trafficking threat
Catholic leaders warn the exodus of Ukrainian women and children presents a prime opportunity for human trafficking, and they are taking steps to protect the refugees.
Ukraine is ‘epicenter of spiritual challenge,’ nuncio says
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is not just a tragic conflict between two nations, but the center of a spiritual battle wrought by the forces of evil that have pitted brother against brother, said the apostolic nuncio to Ukraine.
Ukrainian president speaks with pope before addressing Italian leaders
Pope Francis telephoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before the president addressed the Italian parliament via video link March 22.
Opening Curia posts to laity, pope is implementing Vatican II, experts say
A Vatican office led by a cardinal or archbishop has no more authority than one led by a layperson because all offices of the Roman Curia act in the name of the pope, said experts presenting Pope Francis’ new constitution on the Curia’s organization.
Pope 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.
Russian Catholics cautious about opinions but welcome consecration to Mary
Although Russia’s Catholics hold different views about the conflict in Ukraine, a spokesman for the country’s bishops said all are united in welcoming Pope Francis’ plan to consecrate their country to the Immaculate Heart of Mary March 25 in a service at the Vatican.
Archbishop Gänswein defends retired pope, criticizes Munich abuse report
Archbishop Georg Gänswein, private secretary of retired Pope Benedict XVI, has defended his boss and criticized the Munich abuse report, which made international headlines when it was released in January.
Pope speaks with Russian Orthodox patriarch
Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill spoke via video conference about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the hopes for a peaceful solution, the Vatican said.
Pope to consecrate Russia, Ukraine to Mary
Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a penitential prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica March 25, the Vatican said.
Prayer is a mission to bring hurting world to God, pope says
The call to prayer is an “active mission,” one that does not take a believer from the world but prompts the believer to bring to God the pain and concerns of the world — including the war in Ukraine, Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis on Ukraine: ‘Stop this massacre’
Appealing again for an end to the war in Ukraine, Pope Francis said those who invoke God to promote or justify violence “profane his name.”