A daily news briefing from Catholic News Agency, powered by artificial intelligence. Ask your smart speaker to play “Catholic News,” or listen every morning wherever you get podcasts.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
-
The Justice Department has asked the Supreme Court to reinstate a death sentence for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, for his role in the Boston Marathon bombings. The past three administrations have pushed for the federal death penalty for Tsarnaev. The Boston archdiocese has instead called for life in prison without parole.
Catholic bishops will consecrate the Middle East to the Holy Family on June 27. The consecration will take place during Mass, in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Catholic bishops throughout the Middle East will then celebrate an annual Mass for peace starting June 27.
Catholics should take courage in the fact that, even as Jesus was dying on the cross, his most agonizing moment on earth, he was praying for them. Those were the words of Pope Francis in his general audience today. The pope said that “even in the most painful of our sufferings, we are never alone.”
A street in the capital city of Burkina Faso has been renamed after Pope emeritus Benedict XVI. The country’s apostolic nunciature is located on the street. Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, with a population of 20 million people, around 19% of whom are baptized Catholics.
Today is the feast day of Saint John Francis Regis. The 17th-century French Jesuit is remembered for his zealous missionary work, and his care for the poor and marginalized. Although June 16 was established as his feast day, there are differing local and particular customs, including the Jesuits' celebration of his feast on July 2.