Seeing scenes of a war on television is one thing, “touching this reality is another,” Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister, said in Ukraine.

Celebrating the launch of the Scholas International Educational Movement and its environmental project, Pope Francis encouraged young people, especially women, to lead the charge in fighting climate change.

Every member of the international community must play a part in addressing the many problems affecting the world, Pope Francis told diplomats.

At Catholic college and university graduation ceremonies across the country, speakers praised students for lessons learned during these past four years that had nothing to do with classes, projects or late-night study sessions, but instead with how they adapted to their workload during the coronavirus pandemic.

Granting an exception to canon law, Pope Francis said the Vatican office that deals with religious orders can permit men’s communities that are made up of both priests and brothers to choose one of the brothers to be a provincial superior or even the superior general.

St. Charles de Foucauld, who was canonized May 15, is a great model to follow in placing the Lord and service to others at the center of one’s life and action, the pope said May 18 during a meeting with members of the Charles de Foucauld Spiritual Family Association.

Pope Francis praised the way people have faced the trials and losses in their lives with a firmness of faith in God’s promises and love.

Ukrainians “have made the Bible come alive for the world,” Archbishop Borys Gudziak, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, told graduates of the University of Notre Dame May 15.

Poverty and inequality, which are major factors in child labor exploitation, must be addressed, Pope Francis said in a written message.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, encouraged men and women in the military to download a new app designed to connect them to the Catholic faith and provide the consolation of prayer in times of war and uncertainty.