A proclamation from the nation’s second Catholic president on a transgender-themed occasion is causing consternation among some faithful, as the date coincides this year with Easter — and as the annual White House Easter egg art contest bans, among other things, religious symbolism.

Some 15,000 pilgrims are expected at the annual Divine Mercy Sunday Weekend, which takes place April 6-7 at the National Shrine for the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

Planned for July 17-21 at Lucas Oil Stadium and the adjacent Indiana Convention Center, the 10th National Eucharistic Congress is expected to draw tens of thousands of Catholics of all ages from across the country for worship, prayer, formation and community.

Carmina Chapp, a Catholic theologian with degrees from Providence College and Duquesne University, is the founder of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm near the borough of Harveys Lake, Pa., near Scranton.

A new study shows most Catholics in the U.S. believe environmental justice is an important issue — but only a third of them have heard of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the topic, with Mass attendance key to familiarity with church teaching on the care for creation.

Anahit Mkhoyan was one of five panelists who spoke at “Fragile Contexts, Strong Women: The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Promoting Women’s Leadership,” an official side event of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women, sponsored by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations and Caritas Internationalis March 19.

Just as Jesus removed the stone that sealed his tomb on the morning of the Resurrection, on Easter Christ alone “has the power to roll away the stones that block the path to life” and which trap humanity in war and injustice, Pope Francis said.

Easter is a promise that no matter how dark the world may seem and no matter how heavy the burdens one carries, victory belongs to the Risen Christ and all who believe in him, Pope Francis said.

God’s power is the power of his humble, defenseless love, the papal preacher told Pope Francis and thousands of people gathered for the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion.

The pope celebrated the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper March 28 at the women’s prison under a tent set up outside.