Russia

Shortly after urging people to pray the rosary for peace and entrusting the people of Ukraine to Mary’s care, Pope Francis met briefly with Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, director of external relations for the Russian Orthodox Church

Pope Francis will take his 41st foreign trip to visit Hungary’s capital, Budapest, April 28-30.

In the spotlight: Ukraine war anniversary, Ash Wednesday, remembering a murdered bishop

In focus: Suspect charged in bishop’s murder, bishops oppose Florida governor on death penalty, New York Archdiocese to close schools

A year after Russia started its all-out attack on Ukraine, Archbishop Shevchuk said he felt “joy and gratitude” that Ukraine is still there, that the Ukrainian church has found myriad ways to support the people, and that Catholics around the globe have shown their solidarity, including concretely by sending aid.

“We couldn’t leave those poor people alone,” Orionine Sister Renata Jurczak said. “We had to help them.”

“When Moscow began this war last February, millions headed for the borders — if it now destroys our energy supplies, there’ll be a similar wave of refugees,” said Auxiliary Bishop Jan Sobilo of Kharkiv-Zaporizhzhia.

In the spotlight: World Day of the Poor, homelessness sculpture, visit with Pope Benedict XVI