Michael R. Lovell, 57, president of Marquette University, died June 9 in Italy while on a Jesuit formation pilgrimage with members of the Society of Jesus and the Jesuit university’s board of trustees.

Sweden’s Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm called on the country’s Catholics to engage others in meaningful ways to protect the lives of the unborn.

Prior to the second anniversary of a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its prior abortion precedent, pro-life activists said much of their work remains to be done.

The assault at the Salt Lake City cathedral is one of the latest incidents occurring at Catholic churches in the U.S. and Canada, among them a Texas priest being pepper-sprayed while hearing confessions in April and 10 protesters disrupting the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York March 30.

The Catholic Church should function like a choir where every member contributes his or her unique part to create a harmonious whole, Pope Francis said.

The Eucharist reflects God’s steadfast friendship and “journey of love” with his people, Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington said in his homily at the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Mass June 9 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Pope Francis once again renewed his call for a cease-fire in Gaza following the rescue of four hostages that led to what officials in Gaza said was the killing of more than 270 Palestinians in an Israeli rescue operation that one European Union diplomat deemed a “massacre.”

More than 1,200 faithful took to the streets of the nation’s capital June 8 to celebrate the arrival of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in the Archdiocese of Washington with prayers, songs and a procession.

The lawyer for the former Vatican employee accused of trying to sell St. Peter’s Basilica an allegedly stolen 17th-century manuscript about plans for the massive canopy over the basilica’s main altar said the illustrated manuscript is different from one listed in the archives and later reported missing.

In a world torn by strife, diplomacy offers hope by promoting dialogue, solidarity and cooperation for the common good, Pope Francis said.