Pope Francis speaks during a meeting with members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors at the Vatican April 29, 2022. Also pictured is Sister Arina Gonslaves, vice-provincial of the Religious of Jesus and Mary, and Boston Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, commission president.

Pope Francis wants annual audit of church's safeguarding measures worldwide

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Pope Francis asked his safeguarding commission to provide an annual audit of what the church is doing to protect minors and what needs to change, as well as to urge bishops' conferences to set up special "centers" where victims can be heard and find accompaniment toward "healing and justice."

Pope Francis presents gifts to Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow after the leaders signed a joint declaration during a meeting at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana in this Feb. 12, 2016, file photo. In an Easter message to Patriarch Kirill, the pope prayed that the Holy Spirit would "transform our hearts and make us true peacemakers, especially for war-torn Ukraine." Patriarch Kirill has been an outspoken supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine.

In message to Russian patriarch, Pope Francis prays for end of war in Ukraine

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In an Easter message to Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, Pope Francis prayed that the Holy Spirit would "transform our hearts and make us true peacemakers, especially for war-torn Ukraine."

Pope Francis presides over the Good Friday Liturgy of the Lord's Passion in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 15, 2022.

Papal preacher on Good Friday: Jesus calls everyone to repent, turn swords into plowshares

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Jesus invites everyone to repent and to turn swords into plowshares and missiles into factories and homes, the papal preacher said.

Pope Francis kisses the foot of an inmate after washing it during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper at a prison in Civitavecchia, Italy, April 14, 2022.

Before washing prisoners' feet, Pope Francis tells them God always forgives

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Before washing the feet of 12 inmates, Pope Francis told them and other prisoners that God never tires of forgiving anyone who asks.

Pope Francis leads the Good Friday Way of the Cross in Rome’s Colosseum April 19, 2019. People following the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum this year will find a message of hope, including with a Russian and Ukrainian family carrying a cross together at the nighttime ceremony.

Way of the Cross finds hope in family

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People following the Stations of the Cross at Rome’s Colosseum this year will find along the Via Dolorosa a message of hope, including with a Russian and Ukrainian family both carrying a cross together at the nighttime ceremony.

A girl receives a palm frond during Palm Sunday Mass.

After two years, Holy Week looking more familiar

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Barring a dramatic reversal in pandemic fortune, the vast majority of Canadian Catholics will celebrate Holy Week as they did before COVID-19 infected society two years ago.

Pope Francis answers questions from journalists aboard his flight from Malta to Rome April 3, 2022.

Pope Francis indicates he has not spoken directly to Putin about Ukraine war

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Once again, Pope Francis avoided speaking directly about Russian President Vladimir Putin and instead focused on condemning war as a cruel and inhumane act that "goes against the human spirit."

Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, Germany.

German cardinal calls for change in church teaching on homosexuality

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HAMBURG, Germany -- Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx has called for a change in Catholic teaching on homosexuality, reported the German Catholic news agency KNA.

Pope Francis touches a Marian statue after consecrating the world and, in particular, Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a Lenten penance service in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 25, 2022.

Pope Francis consecrates Ukraine, Russia to Mary

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VATICAN CITY -- As Russia's violent monthlong invasion continued to devastate Ukraine, Pope Francis laid the fates of both countries at the feet of Mary in the hopes that peace would finally reign.

Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, interim president of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Cardinal Czerny meets refugees in Slovakia, Ukraine

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VATICAN CITY -- Continuing the mission entrusted to him by Pope Francis, Cardinal Michael Czerny visited Slovakia and a Ukrainian border town to convey the pope's closeness to victims of Russia's war against Ukraine.

This is an icon of Mary by Yulian Volyanyuk. The image is known as the “Pokrova” in many East European nations.

Marian icon comforts amid horror of war

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As Ukrainians turn to their faith amid the ongoing tragedy of Russia’s invasion of their nation, many who follow both the Orthodox and Catholic traditions will look to an unusual icon of Mary as a symbol of the solace they seek.

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