Carol Glatz

War produces tremendous poverty, and its violence strikes those who are defenseless and vulnerable, Pope Francis said. "In these situations, reason is darkened, and those who feel its effects are the countless ordinary people who end up being added to the already great numbers of those in need."

"Wrinkles are a sign of experience, a sign of life, a sign of maturity, a sign of having made a journey. Do not touch them to become young," the pope said June 8 at his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis on June 5 appealed to world leaders to start "real negotiations" to end to the war on Ukraine and avoid bringing the world to ruin.

The Vatican stamp and coin office has released several commemorative coins, including one promoting the importance of vaccinations and a silver medal for peace in Ukraine; proceeds from sales of the medal will be used to help victims of the war.

Pope Francis has appointed new members of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, including Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich.

Of all the Catholic clergy who have made significant scientific contributions, more than half of them have been Jesuits. Br. Guy Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory, gave a recent lecture in New York City that highlighted some of these standout figures.

After he led the recitation of the "Regina Coeli" prayer with visitors in St. Peter's Square May 22, the pope invited everyone to take part in "Laudato Si' Week," which runs May 22-29.

As the Catholic Church continues to reflect on synodality through a two-year process of listening and dialogue, a panel of six notable theologians and canonists discussed the nature of consultation and decision-making in a synodal church.

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.

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

Wanting to go back to the way things were in the past is not Christian, Pope Francis said.

Christians must listen to God's word, go where Christ goes, seek those who are lost and reach out to their neighbors, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals met in-person at the Vatican April 25, discussing the war in Ukraine, the Vatican press office said.

If young people recognize all that they have received with gratitude and older people take the initiative of relaunching hope in young people for their future, then nothing can stop the flourishing of God's blessings among people, Pope Francis said.

Having "the smell of sheep" for one military chaplain serving in Ukraine has now meant being surrounded by the smell of burned homes and lives.

There is no such thing as a "good" or "bad" nation because wickedness can be found everywhere, Pope Francis said.

The planned second meeting between Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill has been canceled out of concern it could cause "confusion," and there will be no papal visit to Kyiv while war rages, Francis said in an interview with the Argentine daily newspaper La Nación April 21.

Mexican Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán, a longtime president of the former Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry, died in Rome April 20 at the age of 89.

Pope Francis and the Vatican are urging world leaders to listen to the people's cry for peace, and they have backed an appeal by the head of the United Nations for an Easter truce in Ukraine.

More than 10,000 people gathered outside Rome's Colosseum prayed with Pope Francis for peace in the world, while a Ukrainian and a Russian woman held a cross together during the nighttime Way of the Cross April 15.