A prayer shawl ministry at a Pennsylvania parish is wrapping hundreds around the world in what members call “a hug from God.”

Chad Pregracke of East Moline, Ill., who is recognized worldwide for energizing people to join him in cleaning up rivers and planting trees, will receive the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award, an interfaith award overseen by the Catholic Diocese of Davenport .

With the opening of the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis’ schedule of liturgies in December and January has expanded.

A ceasefire brokered by the U.S. and France between Israel and the Lebanese-based militant group Hezbollah is being welcomed with “profound hope,” said Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace.

After meeting Pope Francis and top Vatican officials, U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken praised the pope’s commitment to upholding the dignity of LGBTQ people.

A decade ago, Marguerite Stern entered Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, screaming and topless, to demonstrate her hatred of the church and the pope. In a gesture of repentance, she has now apologized to Catholics for her actions.

Not every Christian is called to be an apostle, prophet or evangelist, Pope Francis said, but all Christians can cultivate the fruits of the Holy Spirit by becoming “charitable, patient, humble, peacemakers.”

Beginning March 27, the fifth season of the hit series “The Chosen,” which focuses on the life of Jesus and his closest disciples, will hit theaters in the weeks leading up to Easter, which is April 20. The latest installment, “The Chosen: Last Supper” portrays the events of Holy Week.

The Catholic Church must respond to cultural challenges facing marriage and family life with unity and compassion, Pope Francis said, and he called for a deeper integration of the Gospel into contemporary culture.

The Supreme Court is expected to decide soon whether to hear a pair of First Amendment cases seeking to strike down so-called “bubble zones” for pro-life demonstrators outside abortion clinics.