While pilgrimages to the Holy Land have been few and far between in the past 18 months, hundreds of Franciscan friars celebrate Mass at the sites associated with the life of Jesus each day and continue to support the local Christian populations.

Two popes who played instrumental roles in building the world’s largest church now gaze at one another with renewed clarity in the apse of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The U.S. bishops on April 10 told congressional lawmakers they support bipartisan legislation that would ease some immigration restrictions on religious workers from other countries, allowing them to stay in the U.S. while they wait for permanent residency.

The temptation to cling to the past — to hold on to what was, including something sacred — can keep believers from truly embracing the hope offered by the risen Christ, said the preacher of the papal household.

Pope Francis’ surprise visit to St. Peter’s Basilica to pray and see ongoing restoration work is a clear sign that his condition is improving, the Vatican press office said.

When the 6,000 pilgrims arrived at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels after a sun-drenched, seven-mile morning walk April 5, they had to face one last challenge: fitting in their destination.

Using forced deportations and detainment to deal with migration is “a scandal,” said Jesuit Father Arturo Sosa, superior general of the Jesuits.

Public events for each leg of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage have been posted and registration for participation is open, event organizers announced April 10.

Individual devotees, pilgrim groups and students on school field trips visited Blessed Carlo’s tomb in the church, which stands next to the site where St. Francis famously stripped off his fine clothing to embrace a life poverty.

The Catholic health conference, four years in the making, was cosponsored by the Catholic Climate Covenant, the Jesuits’ USA Central and Southern Province, the Loyola Institute for Ministry and Rise St. James Louisiana, a community watchdog group that advocates for environmental justice in towns along the Mississippi River teeming with petrochemical facilities.