NATION/WORLD

The Catholic Church needs women, especially women saints, who have shown throughout history an unwavering dedication to God and to caring for their brothers and sisters, Pope Francis said.

A top United Nations official said March 6 that the world hasn't seen a refugee crisis such as the one developing in Eastern Europe, caused by Russia's attack on Ukraine, since the last World War.

Temptation's seductive proposals of happiness and freedom can lead one to being enslaved by the desire to possess material things and other people, Pope Francis said.

Catholic young people in the U.S. are leaving behind traditional models of learning about and living out their faith, and clergy, youth ministers and others will have to make some drastic changes to their ministry style if they want to keep them engaged.

Blessed Titus Brandsma, the 20th-century martyr murdered at the Dachau concentration camp, will be canonized May 15 along with nine other candidates for sainthood, including Blessed Charles de Foucauld.

Church leaders in embattled Ukraine have warned that foreign missionaries could be targeted by attacking forces, while many could be branded "NATO spies" if Russia occupies the country.

As Ukrainians turn to their faith amid the ongoing tragedy of Russia's invasion of their nation, many who follow both the Orthodox and Catholic traditions will look to an unusual icon of Mary as a symbol of the solace they seek.

Off and on, since the COVID-19 pandemic began and in-person instruction resumed, St. Joseph School counselor Suzanne Krumpelman in Fayetteville has spoken to students to gauge how they are coping.

Positive change must begin with oneself and with acknowledging one's own mistakes, Pope Francis said.

Women religious in Ukraine are facing Russia's full-scale invasion of that nation with determined faith and a commitment to service.