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Rome Newsroom, Mar 28, 2025 / 13:15 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis sent his condolences to Church and civil authorities in Myanmar and Thailand after a powerful earthquake killed more than 150 people and caused widespread devastation in the region.

"Deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread devastation caused by the earthquake in Southeast Asia, especially in Myanmar and Thailand, His Holiness Pope Francis offers heartfelt prayers for the souls of the deceased and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all affected by this tragedy," said the message sent on the pope's behalf by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

"His Holiness likewise prays that the emergency personnel will be sustained in their care of the injured and displaced by the divine gifts of fortitude and perseverance."

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, on March 28 at 12:50 p.m. local time. It was followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock. 

Myanmar's government has reported at least 144 deaths and more than 700 injuries. In neighboring Thailand, at least eight people were killed in Bangkok, where a 33-story building under construction collapsed. Officials fear the death toll could rise, as at least 90 people remain missing in the Thai capital, according to Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

The disaster comes amid Myanmar's ongoing civil war and a worsening humanitarian crisis. The country's military junta has declared a state of emergency in the capital, Naypyidaw, and five other regions, while appealing to the international community for humanitarian assistance.

Catholic communities in Myanmar were also affected by the quake. Several churches in Mandalay sustained damage, according to the Pontifical Mission Societies' Fides News Agency. St. Michael's Catholic Parish was reportedly the hardest hit, while St. Joseph's Cathedral in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, was also damaged. Local Church leaders have urged Catholics to support those left homeless.

Rescue operations are ongoing as emergency teams search for survivors amid widespread destruction. Authorities in both Myanmar and Thailand are assessing the full extent of the damage while coordinating relief efforts.

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 28, 2025 / 14:25 pm (CNA).

The Catholic Church in Maryland is urging the state Legislature to treat cases of child sexual abuse in state-run facilities equal to those in private institutions following a proposed bill that would "decrease the number of civil causes of action for child sexual abuse filed against the state."

The Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) said in a statement on Thursday that the bill "greatly exacerbates an existing difference in treatment for victims abused in state institutions and those abused in private institutions."

If passed, the bill would reduce the state damage cap for abuse victims to $400,000 while keeping the cap for private organizations at $1.5 million.

The "overtly unequal treatment in HB 1378 is not only poor policy for victim-survivors but also unfairly targets nonprofit and religious organizations that have long served children in this state and have implemented strong safeguards for youth protection," the Maryland bishops said.

The bill is sponsored by state Del. C.T. Wilson, who spearheaded the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023, which abolished the statute of limitations on lawsuits against public and private entities involved in incidents of sexual abuse. That bill resulted in increased claims against the state.

"The Child Victims Act uncovered a terrible truth," the Maryland bishops said. "The largest employer of abusers in the state of Maryland appears to be the state of Maryland itself."

The MCC statement said the reports of abuse within state-led institutions, including Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services, are mainly from young men and women of color who are the majority of youth placed under the state's care. 

The bishops called the harm done to them "heartbreaking."

"As a Church that has faced its own painful reckoning," the statement said, "we urge state leaders to be accountable and transparent."

The statement calls for specific actions to be done by state leaders to ensure "abuse by state employees never happens again."

The Church further instructs the government to "seek opportunities for an independent assessment to gain further insight into the history of abuse in state settings" as well as "implement reforms such as stringent safeguarding policies" and "provide survivor-centered support for those who suffered abuse by state representatives."

But there is "no principled basis for treating victims of child sexual abuse in state institutions differently from those who suffered abuse in private institutions," the conference said.

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CNA Newsroom, Mar 28, 2025 / 09:40 am (CNA).

Pope Francis continues to show gradual improvement as he recovers from bilateral pneumonia at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, according to an update provided Friday by Holy See Press Office Director Matteo Bruni.

The pontiff's health remains stable, and his respiratory function, mobility, and speech have improved.

While still requiring supplemental oxygen, he has been able to reduce the high-flow oxygen therapy during daytime hours with a slight reduction also occurring overnight.

Blood tests conducted Wednesday indicate all hematological parameters are within normal range.

"The pope's daily schedule includes physiotherapy sessions, which are helping improve his voice usage, along with periods of prayer, rest, and limited work," Bruni said.

All dicasteries of the Roman Curia continue to send documents to inform him of ongoing activities.

ACI Stampa, CNA's Italian-language news partner, reported that Pope Francis concelebrates Mass daily in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta.

As with previous Sundays during his recovery, the Holy See Press Office will release this weekend's Angelus reflection in writing.

The Holy Father has been informed about the recent earthquake in Myanmar and is praying for the victims.

In a sign that Vatican business continues despite the pope's convalescence, the Holy See announced Friday that Pope Francis had appointed Archbishop Giovanni Cesare Pagazzi as the new archivist and librarian of the Holy Roman Church.

Pagazzi, elevated to archbishop of Belcastro in November 2023, previously served as secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.

The 58-year-old prelate holds a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and has taught at numerous theological institutions across Italy.

Polish president meets Cardinal Parolin

In diplomatic developments, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, received Polish President Andrzej Duda in a cordial meeting Friday morning. 

The talks, which included Monsignor Miroslaw Wachowski, undersecretary for Relations with States, took place on the eve of the 20th anniversary of St. John Paul II's death and near the millennium of the coronation of Poland's first king, Boleslaw Chrobry.

According to the Vatican press office, the Friday discussion covered topics of mutual interest before focusing on international affairs, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine and broader concerns about European security and peace.

Parolin will also be celebrating the anniversary Mass for St. John Paul II on the date of the anniversary, April 2.

No decisions have been announced regarding the pope's participation in upcoming Easter celebrations or the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis. The next official update on the pope's condition is expected Tuesday morning.

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ACI Prensa Staff, Mar 28, 2025 / 10:30 am (CNA).

The bishops of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) held their spring assembly this week in Italy, a meeting in which they considered the European Union's vocation in the face of current challenges.

From Nemi, a town outside Rome where the meeting took place behind closed doors March 26-27, COMECE secretary-general Father Manuel Barrios spoke with ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner, and explained the foundations of the mission.

The European Union, a project for peace with Christian roots

"The innate vocation of the European Union is to guarantee peace on the continent and in the world," the Spanish priest said, noting that the EU was born as a project of reconciliation after the Second World War, so its mission is also to "defend and promote human rights, freedom, democracy, and the dignity of the person," essential principles enshrined in its founding treaties.

Barrios also emphasized that Europe was evangelized and has Christian roots, a legacy that defines its identity. However, he warned that secularization is advancing strongly and that these values ??are being eclipsed:

"With secularization, human beings distance themselves not only from transcendence but also from themselves, because the two are linked. We are in a time of rethinking many things, including the way human beings understand themselves," he noted.

Values ??eclipsed by secularization

While he acknowledged that many of the principles that inspire the European Union are currently upheld, he regrets that their origins are often lost sight of: "We are forgetting their Christian roots."

For Barrios, this loss of awareness is, in some cases, intentional: "These values ??are eclipsed because there is no awareness of them, and sometimes because people don't want to be aware of them."

Barrios emphasized that the values ??that shaped the EU are not just a political construct but part of Europe's cultural identity. "The European Union was not born solely from a geographical delimitation," he pointed out.

To face this trend, the priest singled out the need for the personal witness of laypeople in Europe as well as "the witness of the Church and of ecclesial communities." He also emphasized the need for a new evangelization as well as "knowing how to dialogue with contemporary culture," a task he believes remains to be done despite being "foundational in Europe."

Rearmament: 'It's legitimate for Europe to think about its security'

Regarding plans for rearmament in Europe, a topic Barrios indicated was part of the meeting's agenda, he explained that the bishops' position is that it is "correct, licit, and legitimate for Europe to think about its defense and security, especially in a world as turbulent as ours, with so much uncertainty."

However, he pointed out that "we must not forget that the ultimate goal is peace and that this is Europe's vocation. So, 'yes' to defense, but without losing sight of the fundamental human desire, which is the desire for peace."

The priest also emphasized working with European institutions to "make the voice of the Church heard in Europe" in the face of challenges such as competitiveness, conflict, sustainability, and migration.

COMECE's spring assembly brought together bishops, political leaders, and experts as well as representatives of the Vatican, including Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Richard Gallagher, secretary for relations with states.

Also attending was an observer from Ukraine (a non-EU member), members of the Greek Catholic Church, former Italian prime ministers Mario Monti and Paolo Gentiloni, and the EU ambassador to the Holy See, Martin Selmayr.

"The beauty of these meetings is that we hear the voices of different sensibilities and different concerns. The war in Ukraine, for example, is perceived very differently in Spain or here in Italy, in Lithuania, in Poland, and in other countries closer to [Ukraine]. So it's also very good to listen to each other and see the different concerns," Barrios noted.

Concluding pilgrimage of hope

The meeting concluded with a pilgrimage to the Holy Door of St. Peter's and with a Mass in the basilica. Barrios expressed his enthusiasm for the pilgrimage: "The message of hope is very important in this time we are living in, because there is so much despair, so much uncertainty, and it is necessary to make it clear that our hope as Christians is founded on Jesus Christ."

"Also in Europe, which has an aging population, and where the future often seems bleak, we as Christians must propose the good proclamation of the Gospel," he said.

For Barrios, the holy year can bear many fruits, even with Pope Francis ailing. "Despite this situation, the Church continues to powerfully proclaim her message and continues to count on the successor of Peter," he said.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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CNA Staff, Mar 28, 2025 / 11:00 am (CNA).

A Texas Catholic charity group that sued the federal government this month over budget cuts says it will drop its lawsuit as payments from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) resume. 

Catholic Charities Fort Worth sued the agency at the beginning of March after the Trump administration froze tens of millions of dollars in grants for refugee services in Texas. 

Earlier this month the government said it was conducting a "program integrity review" of the Catholic charity. Last week the government said it had paid out more than $47 million to the charity after completing the review. 

In a "joint status report" filed earlier this week, the charity and the government said HHS has made continuous payments to the Catholic group since March 17 following the conclusion of the review. 

"As a result of [the government's] representations and action, [the Catholic charity] will move to dismiss this case on or before April 2, 2025," the filing said. 

The document noted that the charity would only dismiss the lawsuit so long as the group's funding requests "continue to be paid in the normal course up until that date."

The lawsuit's pending dismissal will bring to an end just one of several suits filed in the wake of the major budget and funding cuts the Trump administration has enacted since January. The White House said the cuts were meant to bring federal policy and spending in line with the administration's agenda.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sued the Trump administration in February over what the bishops said was an unlawful suspension of funding for refugee programs in the United States.

The State Department earlier this month canceled two multimillion-dollar refugee resettlement contracts with the USCCB, directing the bishops to "stop all work on the program[s] and not incur any new costs" and "cancel as many outstanding obligations as possible." The bishops' lawsuit is still playing out in federal court. 

Several other groups have sued the government over the funding freezes, arguing that the White House engaged in an overreach of its executive power in ending the large amounts of federal payouts.

Lawsuits have also been filed over other Trump White House policies. Multiple religious groups last month sued the administration over its policy allowing immigration officers to arrest suspected illegal immigrants in houses of worship and other "sensitive locations."

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Vatican City, Mar 27, 2025 / 16:25 pm (CNA).

Italian prosecutors are investigating the illegal online sale of alleged relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis, who will be declared the first millennial saint next month. 

The investigation by the Perugia Public Prosecutor's Office was prompted by a complaint by the bishop of Assisi, the city where Acutis' tomb is located for public veneration.

"On the internet, there is a marketplace for relics concerning various saints, such as our St. Francis, complete with a price list. Something impossible to accept," Bishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino said in a statement on March 26.

Sorrentino filed a formal complaint with Italian authorities after learning of an internet auction of an alleged first-class relic of Acutis' hair, which sold online for 2,000 euros by an anonymous user.

"We do not know whether the relics are real or fake," the bishop said. "But if it were also all fabricated, if there was deception, we would be not only in the midst of a fraud but also of an insult to religious belief."

According to canon law of the Catholic Church, the sale of first- and second-class relics is strictly forbidden. Relics can only be given away by their owners, and some very significant relics, such as a heart, arm, etc., cannot be given away without the permission of the Vatican. 

Acutis' canonization Mass is scheduled to take place in St. Peter's Square on April 27 during the Church's Jubilee of Teenagers. 

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Vatican City, Mar 27, 2025 / 18:00 pm (CNA).

The Vatican has published the official calendar of liturgical celebrations planned for Holy Week, but it has not clarified whether Pope Francis will preside.

The pontiff was discharged on Sunday after spending 38 days in the hospital with double pneumonia, but doctors have prescribed complete rest for at least two months. It is expected that he will be able to resume his full schedule by the end of May.

The Holy See Press Office indicated that it will be necessary to monitor "the improvement of the pope's health in the coming weeks to assess his possible presence, and under what conditions, at the Holy Week rites."

Archbishop Diego Ravelli, papal master of ceremonies, announced the planned Holy Week schedule, which will begin on Palm Sunday, April 13, with Mass in St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m. local time, commemorating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

On Thursday, April 17, the chrism Mass is scheduled in St. Peter's Basilica at 9:30 a.m., during which the holy oils will be blessed and priests will renew their priestly vows. In previous years, Pope Francis has traveled from the Vatican to a prison in Rome to commemorate the Lord's Supper, in remembrance of the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist, during which he would wash the feet of 12 people.

The following day, Good Friday, the Catholic Church celebrates the passion of the Lord in St. Peter's Basilica at 5 p.m. In previous years, Pope Francis has participated in the services at St. Peter's Basilica, but the homily has typically been given by the preacher of the papal household, currently Franciscan Capuchin Father Roberto Pasolini. This is the only day of the year on which there is no consecration as a sign of mourning for the passion of Jesus.

At 9:15 p.m., the traditional Way of the Cross will take place in Rome's Colosseum, where the 14 stations of the Passion are meditated upon, from Jesus' condemnation to death to his burial, in one of the most widely followed ceremonies by the faithful in Rome. Last year, the Holy Father, suffering from bronchitis, was unable to attend this event, whose tradition reflects the persecution suffered by early Christians under the Roman Empire.

On Holy Saturday, April 19, the Easter Vigil will be celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica. In the past, St. John Paul II usually celebrated the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday in the Vatican around 10 p.m., but in the final years of his pontificate, it began to be celebrated a few hours earlier. This year, the ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the atrium of St. Peter's Basilica with the brief ceremony of lighting the fire and blessing the paschal candle.

The following day, Easter Sunday, April 20, the Catholic Church will celebrate the day of the Lord's resurrection with a Mass in St. Peter's Square at 10:30 a.m. Following this, the solemn urbi et orbi blessing will be imparted to the city of Rome and the entire world.

One week after Easter, on the second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, a special Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter's Square at 10:30 a.m. During this ceremony, the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the young Italian millennial known as the "cyber apostle of the Eucharist," is scheduled to take place.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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Washington D.C., Mar 27, 2025 / 18:30 pm (CNA).

More than 300 pro-life activists from 39 different states gathered on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on March 27 to advocate for the defunding of "Big Abortion" and Planned Parenthood. 

Earlier this week, a letter from more than 150 pro-life groups from all 50 states was sent to members of Congress urging them to "stop the flow of American tax dollars toward the abortion industry" through a reconciliation bill.

The action comes after the announcement that the Trump administration plans to freeze millions of federal taxpayer dollars funding abortion and transgender services.  

Half of the activists on the Hill were students from across the nation, while the other half were women, men, and children of all different ages and demographics. Kelsey Pritchard, communications director for SBA Pro-Life America, told CNA that a few-months-old baby was their youngest supporter at the events.

Some of the attendees also joined various members of Congress and advocates from pro-life organizations at a press conference outside the Capitol highlighting the importance of the issue and the need to act now. 

Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona; Mary Miller, R-Illinois; and Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, along with Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, all shared their support for the initiative. 

"American taxpayers should never be forced to pay for the murder of innocent babies. But that's exactly what Congress has allowed to happen," Biggs said. "In 2022-2023, during the Biden-Harris regime, Planned Parenthood received nearly $700 million in taxpayer funding."

Miller said today is a "historic opportunity" to "defend life in America."

Milled shared her support by announcing legislation she introduced "to require ultrasounds to be performed on women and girls seeking abortions," she said, "because 90% of women change their minds after they see the baby for the first time." 

"Today is a great day to stand for life," Tuberville said.

"One of our government's basic duties is to defend life, not destroy it," he continued. "I'm proud to be here today and look forward to working with my colleagues to defund Planned Parenthood and stand up for life and the American taxpayers."

Kristen Hawkins, president of Students for Life Action, called the day a "historic moment," as "the pro-life movement stands unified behind one single message, defund the entire abortion industry, defund the longtime standard bearer of Planned Parenthood once and for all."

Hawkins explained that next steps will include rallies across more than 100 cities to "tell President Trump and our legislative players here on Capitol Hill, in our state capitals, that it's very clear what they must do next. Defund your political enemies, invest in lifesaving, life-affirming medical care."

Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of SBA Pro-Life America, said: "I can tell you one thing, this movement is completely unified in its first priority, and that is to defund big abortion in this reconciliation bill, hopefully by Memorial Day."

"But until then, we've got a lot of work to do," she continued. "We're going to go back to those halls in Congress and defund big abortion."

Dannenfelser told CNA that right now is a hopeful time in the movement to defund Planned Parenthood. 

"There's a lot of momentum and a lot more conversation," she said. "There's a lot more desire to land somewhere post Dobbs. It is very important right now. The policy itself is the most important thing, but it's also good for the pro-life movement to get some points on the board after some tough losses."

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Vatican City, Mar 27, 2025 / 19:00 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis' historic "Statio Orbis" blessing during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic remains relevant for the Church as it did five years ago. Before an empty and rain-covered St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis held Eucharistic adoration and gave an extraordinary urbi et orbi blessing, praying for the world during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Holy Hour on March 27, 2020, included a reading from the Gospel and a meditation by Pope Francis, who spoke about faith and trust in God during a time when people fear for their lives, as did the disciples when their boat was caught in a violent storm.

During the special moment of prayer on March 27, 2020, the Holy Father spoke about faith amid crisis — "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?"

These powerful words were a papal refrain throughout his 2020 address before an empty St. Peter's Square.

"'Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?' Lord, your word this evening strikes us and regards us, all of us. In this world, that you love more than we do, we have gone ahead at breakneck speed, feeling powerful and able to do anything. Greedy for profit, we let ourselves get caught up in things and lured away by haste," he prayed.

Pope Francis implored people to believe in God's presence during the time of COVID-19 when he spoke of Jesus' reaction to the cry of the disciples: "Teacher, do you not care if we perish?" recorded in chapter 4 of St. Mark's Gospel.

The pandemic's impact on the life of the Church is yet to be fully researched and understood.

Recent studies from around the world suggest a decline in Church attendance in some regions. A new Pew study shows thousands of people have chosen to leave behind the religion of their childhood in some of the traditionally Catholic countries such as Italy and Spain.

At the same time, the study acknowledges the report's figures "are not necessarily representative of the entire world's population."

A growing Church

While religious belief and practice may seem to be weakening in some parts of the world, the Holy Father's "Statio Orbis" prayer five years ago can still resonate with millions of people of faith who trust and hope in God's presence in times of world suffering and hardship.

According to the Vatican's 2025 Annuario Pontificio, the Catholic Church has grown worldwide after the COVID-19 pandemic, with the highest growth recorded in Africa.

Between 2022 and 2023, the global Catholic population has grown from approximately 1.39 billion Catholics to 1.406 billion in the last two years. In Africa alone, the Catholic population increased by 3.31%, from 272 million in 2022 to 281 million in 2023. 

As Pope Francis said on this day five years ago: "You ask us not to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. Tell us again: 'Do not be afraid' (Mt 28:5). And we, together with Peter, 'cast all our anxieties onto you, for you care about us' (cf. 1 Pt 5:7)."

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CNA Staff, Mar 27, 2025 / 12:00 pm (CNA).

A recent analysis of U.S. survey data found that children tend to bring "high levels of happiness" to activities such as mealtimes, socializing, and household activities. 

Ken Burchfiel, a research fellow at the Institute for Family Studies, said in an analysis published on Thursday that American Time Use Survey (ATUS) data shows "everyday activities are actually more enjoyable when children are present."

Burchfiel said a 2013 Time magazine article that glamorized the "child-free life" is counteracted by ATUS data showing that levels of "happiness and meaningfulness" tend to be highest when children are involved in an activity. 

Overall, 44% of respondents to the survey rated their happiness levels at their highest when their children were involved in an activity, compared with 37% when a spouse was involved and just 19% when respondents were alone. 

Meanwhile, 56% of respondents said their "meaningfulness" levels were at their peak when with their children, compared with 43% with their spouses and 29% while alone. 

Broken down by category, higher happiness and meaningfulness levels with children were observed in activities ranging from mealtimes to socializing to traveling. 

Respondents only said they were happier with others when engaged in "consumer purchases," though they still ranked their "meaningfulness" higher when shopping with children.

The analysis "calls into question the wisdom of the 'child-free' movement," Burchfiel wrote, arguing that it's "possible that those who forgo children in order to focus on their careers or social lives are actually limiting their happiness as a result."

He stressed that the results "do not prove that the presence of children directly increases well-being," arguing that other factors such as marriage and religion may play large roles. 

Moreover, the data was collected during the COVID-19 crisis, he noted, which was "a time when Americans were more isolated than usual" and their social options were limited. 

Yet the results "should prove encouraging to those who are considering having kids but are afraid to give up their current lifestyle," he said. 

The analysis comes amid record-low fertility rates in the U.S. and much of the rest of the world, with huge numbers of young people opting to have few or no children and demographers predicting population declines in the coming decades.  

Researchers in Canada last year underscored that much of the decline in fertility can be traced to declining marriage rates, with many people marrying later and later and thus delaying childbirth for years. 

Notably, even majority-Catholic and historically Catholic countries have not been free from the demographic collapse.

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