After 21 days of silence, Pope Francis sent an audio message of thanks from his hospital bed to the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square this evening to recite the Rosary for his recovery.

Pope Francis had a “peaceful” 21st night in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital and “is still resting,” the Vatican said at 8:15 a.m., March 6.

A Reflection for Friday After Ash Wednesday, by Michael Simone, S.J.

A Reflection for Saturday after Ash Wednesday, by Sebastian Gomes

A Reflection for Thursday after Ash Wednesday, by Kevin Christopher Robles

At its best, the United States defines itself not primarily by its borders, but by its values and principles.

If end-of-life care matters, surely it can be strengthened by beginning-of-life wisdom. On this first day of Lent and year-round, I want to model for my children clear-eyed acceptance of what we cannot control and agency in what we can.

His doctors have concluded, however, that “given the complexity of the clinical picture, the prognosis remains guarded,” meaning they do not consider him out of danger yet.

The European bishops were careful to note that their expression of solidarity was extended to Ukrainians “who have been suffering from Russia’s unjustifiable full-scale invasion for more than three years.”

A Homily for Ash Wednesday, by Father Terrance Klein