As Holy Week approaches, the Vatican remains uncertain about Pope Francis’ ability to preside over key liturgical events, given his ongoing recovery from a serious respiratory infection. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin acknowledged that the pontiff might not be able to govern the Church as he once did, suggesting that alternative ways to fulfill his role will need to be considered. Speaking on March 27 at an event in Sacrofano, near Rome, Parolin shared that he continuously receives messages from people praying for the pope’s full recovery. “Perhaps he won’t be able to work as before, and in that case, we must find different ways for him to continue leading the Church,” he said.
Since his release from the hospital on March 23, Pope Francis has remained secluded in the Vatican, avoiding public engagements. “He is resting, he is not seeing anyone, and as far as I know, he has no scheduled audiences,” Parolin confirmed. The emphasis, he stressed, is on allowing the pope the necessary time to heal. “The only solution is to remain calm and refrain from any public activity for now.” Despite the pope’s health concerns, the Vatican has yet to clarify how the Holy Week liturgies will be conducted. The official schedule has been published, but no presiding clergy have been named, leaving open the possibility that Francis may not participate in person. Vatican insiders suggest that a contingency plan is being developed, possibly involving multiple cardinals leading different ceremonies in his place. Parolin acknowledged the uncertainty, stating, “We will see whether the pope can preside over the celebrations or if he will delegate certain cardinals to act on his behalf.”
Given medical recommendations for at least two months of convalescence, a more extended period of reduced activity for the pontiff seems likely. At 88, Pope Francis has faced increasing health struggles in recent years, including surgeries and hospitalizations. His latest bout with bilateral pneumonia has raised questions about his long-term ability to maintain the demanding responsibilities of the papacy. While he has dismissed past speculation about resignation, the evolving situation may require adjustments in how he exercises his leadership.
Jesuits extend reparations offer to victims of alleged Rupnik abuse
The Society of Jesus is offering reparations to about 20 women who say they were sexually, psychologically, and spiritually abused by the disgraced ex-Jesuit artist Father Marko Rupnik. Rupnik is accused of having committed serious sexual, psychological, and spiritual abuse of dozens of religious sisters under his spiritual care over decades. His case is currently under investigation by the Vatican.
Father Johan Versuchen, Rupnik’s former superior and current general counsellor and delegate for the Interprovincial Houses and Works of the Society of Jesus in Rome, said he sent a letter to the women who have come forward with accusations against Rupnik, offering an open invitation to reparations, according to The Associated Press.
While the letters were not made public out of respect to the alleged victims, some excerpts were shared by Laura Sgrò, a lawyer for the alleged victims, Religion News Service reported. In the letters, Versuchen reportedly lamented that Rupnik had not publicly taken responsibility for his actions nor repented. He told The Associated Press that in the letters he invited alleged victims to share what they needed and how the order can meet that need.
Versuchen also reportedly offered to start a “process of healing” and shared that the Jesuit order is “uneasy” with the situation and aware that “the various kinds of violence suffered at the time are compounded by the pain caused by the lack of listening and justice for many years.” Sgrò thanked the Jesuits for the gesture of reparation and called on the Vatican in the statement to follow “the example of the Society of Jesus and bring Marko Rupnik to trial as soon as possible, restoring dignity to the victims.” ”There really can be no more delay now; justice just has to be done,” she said.
In Sgrò’s statement, the alleged victims thanked Versuchen for “acknowledging the mistakes made thus far” and having “finally welcomed and embraced the victims of Marko Rupnik, offering them the support that had been lacking until now.”
The Jesuits want to protect the privacy of the alleged victims and do not plan to share future information on dialogue with them, Versuchen told RNS. ”Any eventual journey toward reparation will depend entirely on the person who was invited,” Versuchen told RNS. “We wrote the letter because we, too, need reparation and healing,” he continued. “We have a lot to learn from them, and to do better in the future, to avoid any type of abuse in the company of Jesus.”
Diocese promotes day of ‘unplugging’ from screens, devices for Lent
The Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, is promoting a ”Dio-cesan Day of Unplugging” – intentionally eliminating screen time or time spent consuming digital media – on March 28 as a Lenten fasting discipline to encourage Catholics to spend more time with God as opposed to spending time on their smart devices. Noting that fasting is a “practice of self-discipline with a penitential focus,” the diocese, which is led by Bishop Michael Burbidge, called “unplugging” from the addicting influence of the internet, phones, and social media a “worthwhile and challenging type of fasting.”
Citing studies suggesting most people spend more than two hours a day on social media, the diocese said such statistics beg the questions: Are we spending more time with our devices than with God? And are we investing more time on social media than on nurturing in-person relationships within our communities? “When we fast from food or luxuries, we create space for God. Our fast reminds us of our need for God and brings us back into relationship with him.
Fasting also invites us to renew our relationships with one another in our communities,” the diocesan announcement says.
As suggestions for alternative activities to engage in rather than screen time on March 28, the diocese suggested numerous prayerful activities including attending daily Mass; making a Holy Hour or even a holy “five minutes”; praying a rosary or Divine Mercy chaplet for a loved one or the souls in purgatory; reading Scripture, the catechism, or a classic spiritual book; walking in nature; journaling; or attending the Stations of the Cross.
Works of charity would also be a good idea, the announcement says, suggesting Catholics take advantage of volunteer opportunities at their parish or local Catholic Charities, spend fellowship time with their community, or offer to grocery shop for an ill, elderly, or pregnant neighbour.
The Catholic day of “unplugging” was inspired by the Global Day of Unplugging promoted March 7–8 by the nonprofit Unplug Collective. Pope Francis is promoting screen time fasts this year as part of the ongoing Jubilee Year of Hope. As part of the special year, by the pope’s decree, Catholics worldwide can obtain an indulgence through various acts of penance. Francis’ decree specifically mentions as an option for obtaining a plenary indulgence “abstaining for at least one day a week from ‘futile distractions,’ such as social media or television.”
Cardinal Parolin urges EU bishops to foster peace, dialogue, unity
Addressing the Plenary Assembly of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to fostering diplomacy as a means of conflict resolution.
Speaking to the delegates gathered from 26 – 28 March in Nemi, a town in the Alban Hills outside Rome, the Cardinal also urged political leaders to “set aside divisions and ideological barriers” in favour of genuine dialogue. He underscored that Europe, rooted in a deep Christian tradition, has a particular responsibility to be a beacon of peace and solidarity in an increasingly fragmented world.
Cardinal Parolin highlighted the multiple crises affecting the continent, from geopolitical tensions to economic instability and migration challenges. He warned against the temptation to retreat into nationalistic or isolationist policies, stressing that “the European project must continue to be one of integration, not division; of bridges, not walls.” Quoting Pope Francis, he reminded those present that “war is always a defeat for humanity” and called upon European leaders to intensify diplomatic efforts to end conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East. “Dialogue remains the only viable path,” he said, insisting that the Church’s role is to promote reconciliation and understanding in the face of hostilities.
The Secretary of State dedicated much attention to the importance of solidarity in addressing social and economic inequalities, and said that the Church must continue advocating for policies that place the dignity of the human person at the centre of economic and social systems. “The European Union was built on the principles of solidarity, respect for human dignity, and justice. These values must not be abandoned in times of difficulty but rather strengthened,” he stated. He also called for greater attention to the needs of migrants and refugees, urging policymakers to adopt humane and fair immigration policies.
Pope Francis: When you protect children from abuse ‘you serve and honour Christ’
In a written message on March 25 to the Vatican’s commission for the protection of minors from sexual abuse, Pope Francis urged the group to continue to “keep watch while the world sleeps,” and to care for victims and survivors by listening “with the ear of the heart” to their experiences. “Abuse prevention,” he said, “is not a blanket to be spread over emergencies but one of the foundations on which to build communities faithful to the Gospel.”
Pope Francis’ message was sent to participants in the March 24–28 plenary assembly of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM), which he established in 2014. With the reform of the Roman Curia in 2022, the commission — whose mission is to help local Churches around the world to safeguard minors and vulnerable adults from sexual abuse — became part of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The PCPM released its first annual report on Church policies and procedures for safeguarding in 2024. During its 10 years of work, the pontifical commission has “enabled a safety network to grow within the Church,” the pope said. He also encouraged the group to “keep going!” “Continue to be sentinels that keep watch while the world sleeps. May the Holy Spirit, teacher of living memory, preserve us from the temptation to file away grief instead of healing it,” he said.
Relating the PCPM’s service to “oxygen” for the local Churches and religious communities, Francis asked the group to increase its joint work with the departments of the Roman Curia and to build alliances with civil authorities, experts, and associations outside of the Catholic Church.
He also requested that they “offer hospitality and care for the wounds of the soul to victims and survivors, in the style of the good Samaritan. To listen with the ear of the heart, so that every testimony finds not registers to be compiled but the depths of mercy from which to be reborn.”
Pope concelebrates Mass, continues therapy at Santa Marta
Pope Francis’ convalescence continues at his residence of Casa Santa Marta with his continued treatment, mobility and respiratory-related physiotherapy, especially for voice recovery, personal prayer, and concelebrating Mass in the residence’s chapel.
These were among the updates the Holy See Press Office provided to accredited journalists regarding the Pope’s health after he was discharged on Sunday, 23 March, following 38 days of hospitalization in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital due to bilateral pneumonia.
After greeting 3,000 people from a balcony at the hospital and briefly stopping at Rome’s Marian Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Pope Francis returned to his Vatican resi-dence, Casa Santa Marta, where he began his period of recovery and rest.
The Pope’s period of convalescence and rest at his residence should be about “two months,” maintained Doctor Sergio Alfieri, the doctor overseeing the Pope’s hospitaliza-tion at Gemelli, and Dr. Luigi Carbone, his personal physician, at Saturday evening’s press conference at Gemelli Hospital.
“The Pope,” the Holy See Press Office noted on March 25, “is following the convalescence plan as described by the doctors on Saturday.” At the time, Doctors Alfieri and Carbone stated that the Holy Father must continue pharmacological treatment “for a long time, administered orally,” while undergoing full-time mobility and respiratory-related physiotherapy, continuing as he had done daily at the Gemelli.
The physicians also advised him to avoid meetings, whether individual or group, and to receive 24-hour medical assistance to provide for his needs, including oxygen therapy, and to address any possible emergencies. This care is being provided by the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of Vatican City and a medical team is always present with the Pope.
The Holy Father continues to receive oxygen therapy under the same conditions as during his hospitalization—high-flow oxygen through nasal cannulas at night, with a gradual reduction of oxygen therapy during the day.
Pope Francis prays for Myanmar, Thailand after deadly earthquake
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.
Indonesian bishops urge ecological conver-sion and social justice in Lenten message
“I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10) — With these words of Christ as their inspiration, the bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ende in Indonesia have issued a Lenten pastoral letter calling for ecological conversion, justice for the poor, and a renewed commitment to Gospel values. The statement, released at the conclusion of their annual synod, invites the faithful to a deeper journey of reflection, repentance, and concrete action amid pressing environmental and social concerns affecting communities in Flores, Lembata, and Denpasar.
Signed by Archbishop Paulus Budi Kleden, SVD (Ende), along with Bishops Silvester San (Denpasar), Fransiskus Kopong Kung (Larantuka), Siprianus Hormat (Ruteng), Edwaldus Martinus Sedu (Maumere), and Maksimus Regus (Labuan Bajo), the letter speaks with pastoral urgency to the over two million Catholics entrusted to their care—approximately 1.9 million across Flores and Lembata, and 50,000 in Denpasar.
In their message, the bishops express concern over ongoing geothermal energy developments in the region, especially in the mountainous and water-scarce islands of Flores and Lembata. While acknowledging the need for progress, they warn that “unwise exploitation harms the environment, food security, social balance, and cultural sustainability.” They question whether such extractive projects, though presented as beneficial, are instead “endangering the future,” and stress that geothermal development is not suitable for the region’s unique ecological and geographical context.
Rather, they propose alternative energy options—such as solar power—that align more harmoniously with the local environment and with Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato si’, which calls for integral ecology and care for our common home. “The vision for Flores and Lembata,” the bishops write, “is not one of exploitation, but of sustainable development rooted in the richness of our agricultural, marine, and cultural heritage.”
Young Christian in Pakistan brutally attacked for refusing to convert to Islam
Amid the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, a 22-year-old man was “brutally attacked” on March 22 by his supervisor after refusing to convert to Islam. The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) reported the attack, pointing to it as yet another example of “the persistent religious intolerance present in much of Pakistani society.” Of the 208 million inhabitants of the South Asian country, 96.47% are Muslim and 1.9% Christian. The remainder are Buddhists, Hindus, agnostics, and members of other local religions. Attacks against Christians in Pakistan intensified in August 2023 after Muslims looted and burned more than 25 churches and at least 85 homes in Jaranwala. The local Church reported that “people are frightened and feeling hopeless.”
This weekend, at the Subhan Paper Mills in Punjab, young Christian Waqas Masih “suffered severe neck injuries” after his supervisor, identified by ACN as “Zohaib,” accused him of desecrating pages of the Quran found in the trash. The attacker was arrested by police and is charged with attempted murder. “I pray for his speedy recovery and for the well-being of his entire family. The attack on Waqas Masih is a harsh reminder of the challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan and the urgent need for social change to promote tolerance and protect the rights of all citizens,” Capuchin Franciscan Lazar Aslam, who visited Masih in the hospital, told ACN. “We humbly call on the international community to pray for the victims and their families as well as to raise awareness about the difficult situation for marginalized communities in Pakistan, ensuring that their voices are heard and their rights protected,” he added.
South Korea’s worst-ever wildfires kill dozens and displace almost 40,000
The country’s worst-ever wildfires, which engulfed a forest on March 27, have destroyed thousands of homes, infrastructure, places of worship and vehicles. The multiple wildfires, fueled by strong winds and dry weather, have been raging across South Korea’s southeastern regions. The government has mobilized thousands of personnel, dozens of helicopters and other equipment to extinguish the blazes, but the wind is hampering their efforts.
Light rain is expected, but meteorologists say it probably won’t help much in extinguishing the blazes.
Amongst the victims is the pilot of a helicopter that crashed during efforts to contain a fire Wednesday and four firefighters and other workers who died earlier after being trapped by fast-moving flames. Authorities, who suspect human error may have caused several of the wildfires, say most of the civilians who died were elderly or people who found it difficult to escape quickly or who even refused orders to evacuate.
In Cheongsong, a Buddhist temple is at risk of burning. In the southeast, two villages, including Puncheon, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded around the 14th century, was ordered to evacuate. In Uiseong, about 20 of the 30 structures at the Gounsa temple complex, which was said to have been originally built in the 7th century, have burnt to the ground. Among them were two state-designated “treasures.” The deputy head of the government’s disaster response centre said the wildfires show “the reality of climate crisis that we have yet experienced.”