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.

A second Trump administration could present both challenges and opportunities for issue areas related to Catholic social teaching, bishops and policymakers said at the Napa Institute Citizens of Faith Conference on April 9.

In a split ruling, a federal judge in Illinois permanently blocked a provision of the state’s 2016 Health Care Right of Conscience Act, which attorneys representing pro-life doctors and the state’s 100 pregnancy resource centers said would compel their clients “to promote pro-abortion talking points with women in need.”

Sister Idalina, a native of Brazil, is director of the Center for Attention to Returned Migrants, a joint effort of the Catholic Church and several government and nongovernmental agencies.