NATION/WORLD

Advocates attending the National Poverty Summit pledged to reframe how Americans see their poor neighbors and to work to build stronger relationships across economic classes.

Just days before Rwanda was to begin a weeklong period of official mourning to mark the 20th anniversary of its genocide, Pope Francis urged the country's bishops to be resolute in continuing the work of healing and reconciliation.

Once again, the people at Fort Hood "are at the center of national attention and the focus of our prayers," Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services said in response to the April 2 shooting at the Texas military base.

Don't hold back when praying to God — tell him exactly what's wrong and insist on holding him to his promises, Pope Francis said. Prayer should be like speaking face-to-face with a friend: "without fear, freely and also with insistence."

Married couples should never let the sun set on an argument; instead they must make peace by remembering to always say "please," "thank you" and "sorry."

Bringing the face of Jesus to the poor is an experience a group of Lebanese 10th graders will long remember about this Lent. They traveled with The Mission of Life community who visits some 350-400 impoverished families each month as part of its Streets' Mission, reaching out to all in need, regardless of age, color, race or religion.

With the backdrop a few feet away of the rusted iron slats of the 30-foot wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley and a dozen other bishops from three countries prayed April 1 for compassion and for a return to ideals that welcome immigrants.

Retired Rear Adm. Jeremiah Denton, who as a young Navy flight captain was captured in 1965 during the Vietnam War and held prisoner for more than seven-and-a-half years, died March 28. He was 89.

Blessed John XXIII didn't have pre-conceived ideas of what the Second Vatican Council would accomplish when he called it, but knew his desk was piling up with pastoral problems, questions, requests and hopes. With the bishops present he was certain "the Holy Spirit will be there and all will go well."

At the end of a recent unofficial pre-induction briefing for about 30 young men preparing to join the Israeli army, the participants stood and, led by Greek Orthodox Father Gabriel Nadaf, recited the Our Father in Arabic with hands outstretched. They finished by making the sign of the cross.