The pope’s health was the prime focus of the Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Vatican nuncio to the United States. Following the Mass, the rosary was recited.

Catholic bishops along both sides of the Texas-Mexico border are affirming their support for the common good amid the U.S. immigration crisis, while calling for reform of the U.S. immigration system.

“Unity rooted in truth has the power to stop evil,” said Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and head of the nation’s Ukrainian Catholics, following a tense exchange Feb. 28 on live television at the White House among U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Iowa has enacted a law defining “sex” as male or female, with “gender” as a synonym, while removing gender identity protections from its code, making that state the first to do so.

The U.S. bishops urged Catholics to answer Pope Francis’ call for prayer for the people of Ukraine in their Lenten reflection as that nation fends off Russia’s invasion.

Pope Francis suffered “two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency” March 3 but remained alert, the Vatican said, giving cause for concern after two days in which his condition was described as “stable.”

Ukrainian bishops spoke up as international reaction continued over U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s Feb. 28 televised White House clash with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

One of the most serious emergencies today is that the world forgets about and does not attend to the common good and the needs of regular people, especially poor people, the head of the Pontifical Academy for Life said.

Pope Francis has chosen “Migrants, missionaries of hope” as the theme for the Catholic Church’s celebration of World Day of Migrants and Refugees, linking the world day to the Jubilee message of hope.

Pope Francis’ extended hospitalization and care is a reminder that every human being, especially the frail or elderly, must be given proper care, said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.