Hope is the virtue needed to approach the coming year, especially when the looming threat of war surrounds a humanity scarred by violence, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis led pilgrims in prayers for peace as tensions between the United States and Iran escalated following the assassination of a top Iranian general.

Vatican officials are moving ahead with the cause for sainthood for Mother Mary Lange, Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori said Thursday in Rome.

A delegation from the Archdiocese of Baltimore presented Pope Francis with a custom-made Ravens jersey signed by Coach John Harbaugh, a Catholic, and quarterback Lamar Jackson during a Dec. 3 audience at the Vatican. They also gave the Holy Father a “spiritual bouquet,” a book produced by the Archdiocese of Baltimore that contains prayers and greetings from people across the archdiocese in celebration of the pope’s upcoming 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination.

As people on pilgrimage often report, what happens along the way can be just as important as what happens at the destination.

To have the U.S. bishops making their “ad limina” visits now is “very providential, a sign of God’s love for us,” Archbishop William Lori said.

The example of St. Peter and the teaching of his successor encourage bishops to serve their flocks “willingly and generously,” Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore said.

Cardinal Turkson is considered by some to be a potential successor to Pope Francis, and his visit attracted faithful from across Charm City to the basilica.

“(The future priest) must have the ability to see where mercy is needed and the healthy zeal to make himself readily available to apply the healing balm of God’s mercy with the love of a genuine father and pastor,” Archbishop Pierre said.

Expressing his appreciation for Pope Benedict XVI following the Feb. 11 announcement of the pope’s upcoming resignation, Archbishop William E. Lori remembered the pontiff as a loving man whose lasting legacy will be his commitment to the new evangelization.“