Pat Conroy was the epitome of the "Southern Writer" for many years and called by some "the most beloved American writer of his generation"—and was also a God-haunted Catholic who wrote often and deeply about religious faith.

The visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom to the Vatican next month will include an audience with Pope Francis, suggesting the pope's health is improving.

“I become better—a better bishop and a better priest, and better to my men—precisely because I want to generate love for the migrant who’s passing through this diocese,” says Bishop Joseph Tyson of Yakima. “We’ve got to find a way of preaching and teaching that better.”

For the fifth successive Sunday, Pope Francis sent a brief written note from the hospital for his weekly Angelus message.

Despite continued progress in his recovery from double pneumonia, Pope Francis will continue to remain in the hospital for the time being, his doctors announced today.

Pope Francis’ condition “continues to be stable,” and “the recovery process is slow and requires time for the consolidation of the improvements [that have been] recorded in recent days,” the Vatican said at 7 p.m. on March 14.

A Reflection for Friday of the Second Week of Lent, by Kerry Weber

A Reflection for Thursday of the Second Week of Lent, by Colleen Dulle

A Reflection for the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by Zac Davis

A Reflection for Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent, by Noah Banasiewicz, S.J.