U.S. & World News

While bishops in Ukraine and Russia are grateful Pope Francis will consecrate their nations to Mary, other Catholics are eagerly awaiting the text of the pope's prayer to see if he does it "correctly."

Pope Francis has asked bishops around the world to join him March 25 in consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, something bishops in every part of the globe had started announcing the minute they heard what the pope had planned.

"Knowing what we know about civilian casualties, a just war cannot be fought today," said Jeffery Nicholas, an associate professor of philosophy at Providence College in Rhode Island.

The $1.5 trillion federal budget for fiscal year 2022 passed by Congress and signed into law March 15 by President Joe Biden includes increased funding for key programs that Catholic advocates say will benefit low-income families.

A trip to the grocery store is giving shoppers sticker shock over staples such as a gallon of milk.

In a joint message for St. Patrick's Day, the Catholic and Anglican archbishops of Armagh said the war in Ukraine is a lesson to Northern Ireland to "never take peace for granted" and "never give up on dialogue, the building of bridges, and mutual understanding across historical divides."

Under the gaze of a painting of "Mary, Untier of Knots" and with dozens of diplomats from around the world, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, celebrated a Mass for peace in Ukraine.

Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill spoke via video conference about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the hopes for a peaceful solution, the Vatican said.