The pope, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, marked the Feast of St. George April 23 by visiting people who came to the Vatican for the second dose of their Covid-19 vaccinations.

Humanity either must live up to its responsibility or continue on a path of self-destruction, Pope Francis said, commemorating Earth Day with a video message.

Catholic institutions including schools and universities closed Wednesday across Haiti in a three-day protest to demand the release of five priests, two nuns and two other people kidnapped more than a week ago.

Pope Francis has called for a global prayer marathon for the entire month of May, praying for the end to the pandemic.

“The death of George Floyd highlighted and amplified the deep need to see the sacredness in all people, but especially those who have been historically oppressed,” read a statement from the U.S. bishops' conference.

The day before the Chauvin verdict was announced, Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda and priests across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis offered special Masses "For the Preservation of Peace and Justice."