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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

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Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Pope Francis has asked for all people to pray and fast for peace in Ukraine today.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250538/ash-wednesday-fasting-ukraine-peace

A bomb struck the headquarters of a Catholic diocese on Tuesday in the besieged Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Forty people were sheltering in the basement of the diocesan chancery when the bomb landed on March 1, but no injuries were immediately reported. Russian forces have advanced on Kharkiv, which has a population of 1.4 million people, since President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24. According to media reports, the Russian bombardment of the city in northeastern Ukraine has resulted in the deaths of civilians, including children.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250529/ukraine-conflict-bomb-hits-catholic-diocese-s-headquarters-in-besieged-city

President Joe Biden focused on the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the economic recovery in the United States, and the need to be a united American people in his State of the Union address Tuesday night. Biden, speaking from the US Capitol on March 1, praised the resolve of the Ukrainian people after their country was invaded by Russian forces. The president, who is Catholic, praised the Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision and said there is a need to, quote, “preserve a woman’s right to choose.”

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250541/biden-focuses-on-ukraine-conflict-in-state-of-the-union-address

The Vatican on Tuesday amended its law to include three days of paid paternity leave for employees who have a new child through birth or adoption. The Vatican already offered five months of paid maternity leave, in line with Italy’s national maternity leave policies.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250528/vatican-introduces-three-days-of-paid-paternity-leave-for-employees

Today, there are several saints honored. Saint Angela of the Cross, a 19th-century Spaniard, is the Foundress of the Institute of the Sisters of the Company of the Cross, a group dedicated to prayer and silence, as well as to serving the poor and dying.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-angela-of-the-cross-165

St. Agnes of Prague, a European who lived in the 13th century, entered the monastery after turning down the Holy Roman emperor’s overtures of marriage. Emperor Frederick is said to have remarked: "If she had left me for a mortal man, I would have taken vengeance with the sword, but I cannot take offense because in preference to me she has chosen the King of Heaven."

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-agnes-of-prague-170

And finally, Blessed Charles the Good was a Flemish warrior and ruler known for his just, compassionate, and wise actions.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/blessed-charles-the-good-412