Father Mark-Mary Ames of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal had an atypical Ash Wednesday this year after celebrating an early morning Mass for actors Jonathan Roumie and Mark Wahlberg.

The case began as one family’s dispute over gender identity, and involved a state social service agency and the removal of the child. But any decision on the petition submitted to the high court Feb. 15 won’t result in the teen — named in court filings as A.C. and identifying as a transgender woman — being returned to the family home.

As an emergency bill to replenish dwindling ammunition and supplies for Ukraine’s forces languishes in the U.S. House, Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia warned that failing to support Ukraine as Russia’s war machine relentlessly presses its attack will have a vast impact on religious freedom in the region as well as on global security.

War will never solve problems, Pope Francis said, appealing for prayers that God inspire people to concretely work for peace.

Spain’s top tourist attraction, the Sagrada Família basilica in Barcelona, must give priority to ensuring it is a place where people are inspired to pray, Pope Francis said.

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine reaches the two-year mark Feb. 24, OSV News sat down with Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, recently returned from his latest visit to Ukraine, for his insights on the war.

The second assembly of the Synod of Bishops on synodality will meet Oct. 2-27 and will be preceded by several formal studies coordinated by the synod general secretariat working with various offices of the Roman Curia.

Vices, such as vanity and greed, are like “wild beasts” of the soul that risk tearing people apart, Pope Francis said.

The first anniversary of the shocking killing of Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David G. O’Connell prompted reflections and commemorations from Catholic leaders about the bishop’s joy and love of Jesus Christ. The anniversary comes as his alleged killer is expected to face trial later this year.

The Vatican’s decision to allow varying implementations of its recent document on blessings for people in irregular and same-sex unions is part of a “great move toward decentralization” in the Catholic Church amid the ongoing Synod on Synodality, said Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of San Diego.