As they waited for Pope Francis to arrive at the Clementine Hall in the Vatican Apostolic Palace for an early morning audience, late night comedy stars looked at each other and thought, “something’s wrong.”

Anglican, Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox believers agree with Catholics that “the unity in truth of the Christian community demands visible expression,” an Anglican archbishop said, but agreeing that the pope should fill that role is another question.

Pope Francis is scheduled to sit down with U.S. President Joe Biden and eight other heads of state in a series of private bilateral meetings during the Group of Seven (G7) summit being held in southern Italy June 13-15, according to a scheduled published by the Vatican Secretariat of State.

The reason why the 2024 edition of the Vatican yearbook has re-inserted “Patriarch of the West” as one of the historical titles of the pope appears to be a response to concerns expressed by Orthodox leaders and theologians.

The poor bear the image of Jesus, and Christians must offer them support and expressions of Christian charity, Pope Francis said.

Christians should read Scripture often, every day if possible, and look to the Spirit if reading the Gospel ever feels dry, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis encouraged priests to seek out those who are “invisible” in society and he warned against “ideologies” in the church.

The Catholic Church should function like a choir where every member contributes his or her unique part to create a harmonious whole, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis once again renewed his call for a cease-fire in Gaza following the rescue of four hostages that led to what officials in Gaza said was the killing of more than 270 Palestinians in an Israeli rescue operation that one European Union diplomat deemed a “massacre.”

The lawyer for the former Vatican employee accused of trying to sell St. Peter’s Basilica an allegedly stolen 17th-century manuscript about plans for the massive canopy over the basilica’s main altar said the illustrated manuscript is different from one listed in the archives and later reported missing.