Imagine a young father lying on a hospital bed as his children bound into the room. He is counting down the days the doctor has given him to live. But when he sees his children, he greets them warmly and expresses his love aloud. He tells them to always listen to their mother, be faithful at their work, and follow Jesus. He is a teacher to the end.Likewise, Jesus continues teaching disciples though he faces an impending death (Luke 21:37-38). Out of love, he tells three parables to prepare them for his return.A Hope That Waits (Matthew 25:1-13)His first parable is about ten lantern-bearing virgins who will light the path as the wedding party travels to the banquet (v. 1). Five of them, though, foolishly forget to bring extra oil for their lamps (vv. 2-4). So, when the bridegroom suddenly arrives, they’re unprepared. They ask the others, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” Yet there was not enough to share (vv. 5-9).So also, at Christ’s second coming, we are each responsible for our spiritual readiness (vv. 10-12). “Watch therefore,” Jesus teaches, “for you know neither the day nor the hour” (v. 13). You can’t save the date on your calendar or write it in your daily planner. So, remain always vigilant! Look forward with hope to Christ’s return. That’s a party you will not want to miss because the greatest joy of all is to be forever with our Savior—the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:23).As a pastor, I’ve prayed with many people near the end of their life to encourage them with hope. And there’s one question I inevitably ask in some form or another: “Are you ready to stand before the Lord?” I want them to know the living hope of Christ’s resurrection (1 Pet. 1:3-9)—that Jesus is the Son of God who died on a cross to pay the penalty for their sins—that after he rose again, he promised one day to return (1 Cor. 15:3-4).Even if today we are young and healthy, every one of us is on our deathbed. For each life is but a speck of time in relation to eternity. So, are you ready for Christ’s return? Do you have a hope that waits?A Faith That Works (Matthew 25:14-30)The second parable describes a master who entrusted three servants with a great deal of money based on each man’s proven ability (Matt. 25:14-15). For in Christ’s kingdom, we don’t all receive the same amount, but we’re all expected to be faithful.The man given five talents doubles what he received, while the man given two talents produces two more (vv. 16-17). They receive the same commendation, though, based on faithfulness, not results (vv. 19-23). For Christ does not compare you to others; Rather he compares you to you: What have you done with the gifts he has entrusted?The third servant does nothing with the one talent he received. Instead, he hides it in the ground out of fear (v. 18). He plays it safe and gives no chance of return on investment. He even disparages his master as cruel and dishonest (vv. 24-25). He makes excuses as he thrusts the talent into his master’s face: “Here! Take back what belongs to you.” Thus, the master rebukes him as wicked lazy (vv. 26-30).So too, we must not excuse ourselves by accusing Christ. For we fail to trust in him if we do not truly know him. Don’t seek to save your life or to keep your possessions in mint condition. Instead, go all out for the kingdom and run from “do-nothing” Christianity! Invest your every talent to store up your treasures in heaven. For though we are not saved by works, we must possess a faith that works (Eph. 2:8-10).What talents has Christ, your Master, given you? Is it time, knowledge, health, strength, intellect, relationships, opportunities, natural abilities, or spiritual gifts to serve in ministry? Are you employing them to serve your Master? Do you have a faith that works?A Love That Serves (Matthew 25:31-46)Christ’s final parable teaches us to love the unloved—the ones society has neglected (Matt. 25:31-39). For when we serve each other, we serve the King himself: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (v. 40). “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).Jesus calls us to do what may seem small: Feed the hungry; Offer a drink to those who thirst; Show hospitality to one another; clothe and care for those exposed to the elements; visit the sick and friends in prison. The King’s command is not to stare into the sky, but to actively serve. Therefore, our preparation for his coming requires us to see him present in the church today.Then, when Christ returns, he will divide the sheep from goats—the righteous from the wicked. And he will do so based on how we loved him (Matt. 25:41-46). There is no middle ground—not one goat will be left among the sheep nor sheep among the goats. For the Good Shepherd marks us by our love for him—by the way we serve the helpless and the hopeless. So, does your life reveal Christ’s love? Do you have a love that serves?Eternal RewardChrist felt so strongly about these truths that he taught them to his disciples just days before he died. Therefore, we also should treasure them in our hearts, so that when Christ returns as Judge, he will reward us with his precious commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” When he finds us to be faithful stewards, we will delight in greater kingdom responsibilities: “For to everyone who has will more be given.” And for this reason, we anticipate our glorious future hope: “Enter now into the joy of your Master!” Faith, hope, and love bear the fruit of eternal reward.

(LifeSiteNews) — The chief priests and the ancients of the people are met today in one of the rooms adjoining the temple, for the purpose of deliberating on the best means of putting Jesus to death. Several plans are discussed. Would it be prudent to lay hands upon Him at this season of the feast of the Pasch, when the city is filled with strangers, who have received a favorable impression of Jesus from the solemn ovation given to Him three days back? Then, too, are there not a great number of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who took part in that triumph, and whose enthusiastic admiration of Jesus might excite them to rise up in His defense? These considerations persuade them not to have recourse to any violent measure, at least for the present, as a sedition among the people might be the consequence, and its promoters, even were they to escape being ill-treated by the people, would be brought before the tribunal of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. They, therefore, come to the resolution of letting the feast pass quietly over, before apprehending Jesus. But these bloodthirsty men are making all these calculations as though they were the masters. They are, if they will, shrewd assassins, who put off their murder to a more convenient day, but the divine decrees, which from all eternity have prepared a sacrifice for the world’s salvation, have fixed this very year’s Pasch as the day of the sacrifice, and, tomorrow evening, the holy city will re-echo with the trumpets, which proclaim the opening of the feast. The figurative lamb is now to make way for the true one; the Pasch of this year will substitute the reality for the type; and Jesus’ Blood, shed by the hands of wicked priests, is soon to flow simultaneously with that of victims, which have only been hitherto acceptable to God because they prefigured the sacrifice of Calvary. The Jewish priesthood is about to be its own executioner, by immolating Him, whose Blood is to abrogate the ancient alliance, and perpetuate the new one. But how are Jesus’ enemies to get possession of their Divine Victim, so as to avoid a disturbance in the city? There is only one plan that could succeed, and they have not thought of it: it is treachery. Just at the close of their deliberations, they are told that one of Jesus’ disciples seeks admission. They admit him, and he says to them, “What will you give one, and I will deliver him unto you?” (Matthew 26:15) They are delighted at this proposition and yet, how is it, that they, doctors of the law, forget that this infamous bargain between themselves and Judas has all been foretold by David, in the 108th Psalm? They know the Scriptures from beginning to end – how comes it, that they forget the words of the prophet, who even mentions the sum of thirty pieces of silver? (Matthew 27:9, Zechariah 11:12) Judas asks them what they will give him; and they give him thirty pieces of silver! All is arranged tomorrow, Jesus will be in Jerusalem, eating the Pasch with his disciples. In the evening, he will go, as usual, to the garden on Mount Olivet. But how shall they, who are sent to seize him, be able to distinguish him from his disciples? Judas will lead the way; he will show them which is Jesus, by going up to him and kissing him! Such is the impious scheme devised on this day, within the precincts of the temple of Jerusalem. O testify her detestation at it, and to make atonement to the Son of God for the outrage thus offered in the Holy Church, from the earliest ages, consecrated the Wednesday of every week to penance. In our own times, the fast of Lent begins on a Wednesday and when the Church ordained that we should commence each of the four seasons of the year with fasting, Wednesday was chosen to be one of the three days thus consecrated to bodily mortification. On this day, in the Roman Church, was held the sixth scrutiny, for the admission of catechumens to baptism. Those upon whom there had been previous doubts were now added to the number of the chosen ones, if they were found worthy. There were two Lessons read in the Mass, as on the day of the great scrutiny, the Wednesday of the fourth week of Lent. As usual, the catechumens left the church after the Gospel; but as soon as the holy sacrifice was over, they were brought back by the door keeper, and one of the priests addressed them in these words: On Saturday next, the eve of Easter, at such an hour, you will assemble in the Lateran Basilica, for the seventh scrutiny; you will then recite the symbol, which you must have learned and lastly, you will receive, by God’s help, the sacred laver of regeneration. Prepare yourselves zealously and humbly, by persevering fasts and prayers, in order that, having been buried, by this holy baptism, together with Jesus Christ, you may rise again with him, unto life everlasting. Amen. At Rome, the station for today is in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Let us compassionate with our Holy Mother, whose Heart is filled with poignant grief at the foresight of the sacrifice, which is preparing. MASS The Church commences her chants with one to the glory of the Holy Name of Jesus, outraged as it is, on this day, by them that plot His death. This name, which was given Him by heaven, and signifies that He is our Savior, is now being blasphemed by His enemies: in a few hours, their crime will bring its full meaning before us, for His death will have worked the Salvation of the world. INTROIT At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; because the Lord became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross: therefore the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. Ps. O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come unto thee. At the name, etc. In the first Collect, the Church acknowledges to God that Her children have sinned against Him: but she reminds Him of the Passion, endured for their sakes, by His only begotten Son, and this revives Her hope. COLLECT LET US PRAY ℣. Let us kneel down. ℟. Stand up again. Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that we, who continually are punished for our excesses, may be delivered by the Passion of thy Only Begotten Son. Who liveth, etc. EPISTLE Lesson from the Prophet Isaiah 62:11-63:7 Thus saith the Lord God: Tell the daughter of Sion: Behold thy Savior cometh. Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bosra, this beautiful one in his robe, walking in the greatness of his strength? I, that speak justice, and am a defender to save. Why then is thy apparel red, and thy garments like them that tread in the wine-press? I have trodden the wine-press alone, and of the Gentiles there is not a man with me; I have trampled on them in my indignation, and have trodden them down in my wrath, and their blood is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have stained all my apparel. For the day of vengeance is in my heart, the year of my redemption is come. I looked about, and there was none to help; I sought, and there was none to give aid; and my own arm hath saved me, and my indignation itself hath helped me. And I have trodden down the people in my wrath, and made them drunk in my indignation, and have brought down their strength to the earth. I will remember the tender mercies of the Lord, the praise of the Lord, for all the things that the Lord hath bestowed on me. How terrible is this our Defender, who tramples His enemies beneath His feet, as they that tread in the wine press; so that their blood is sprinkled upon His garments! But is not this the fittest time for us to proclaim His power, now that He is being treated with ignominy, and sold to His enemies by one of His disciples? These humiliations will soon pass away; He will rise in glory, and His might will be shown by the chastisements, wherewith He will crush them that now persecute Him. Jerusalem will stone them that shall preach in His name; she will be a cruel stepmother to those true Israelites who, docile to the teaching of the prophets, have recognized Jesus as the promised Messias. The Synagogue will seek to stifle the Church in Her infancy; but no sooner shall the Church, shaking the dust from Her feet, turn from Jerusalem to the gentiles, than the vengeance of Christ will fall on the city, which bought, betrayed, and crucified him. Her citizens will have to pay dearly for these crimes. We learn from the Jewish historian Josephus (who was an eyewitness to the siege) that the fire which was raging in one of the streets, was quenched by the torrents of their blood. Thus were fulfilled the threats pronounced by our Lord against this faithless city, as He sat on Mount Olivet, the day after His triumphant entry. And yet the destruction of Jerusalem was but a faint image of the terrible destruction which is to befall the world at the last day. Jesus, who is now despised and insulted by sinners, will then appear on the clouds of heaven, and reparation will be made for all these outrages. Now He suffers Himself to be betrayed, scoffed at, and spit upon; but when the day of vengeance is come, happy they that have served Him and have compassionated with Him in His humiliations and sufferings! Woe to them that have treated Him with contempt! Woe to them who, not content with their own refusing to bear His yoke, have led others to rebel against Him! For He is king; He came into this world that He might reign over it; and they that despise His mercy shall not escape His justice. The Gradual, which immediately follows upon this sublime passage from Isaias, is a prayer addressed by Jesus to His Eternal Father: the words are taken from one of the psalms. GRADUAL Turn not away thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble: hear me speedily. ℣. Save me, O God, for the waters are come in even unto my soul; I stick fast in the mire of the deep, and there is no sure standing. In the second Collect, the Church again reminds our Heavenly Father of the death which His Divine Son deigned to suffer, in order to set us free from the yoke of Satan; She prays that we may have a share in the glorious resurrection of this our Redeemer. COLLECT O God, who wouldst have thy Son suffer on the Cross, to deliver us from the power of the enemy; grant that we thy servants, may obtain the grace of his resurrection. Through the same, etc. For the other Collects, see the Mass for Monday in Holy Week. EPISTLE Lesson from the Prophet Isaiah 53 In those days: Isaias said: Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? And he shall grow up as a tender plant before him, and as a root out of a thirsty ground. There is no beauty in him, nor comeliness. And we have seen him, and there was no sightliness that we should be desirous of him; despised, and the most abject of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with infirmity. And his look was as it were hidden and despised; whereupon we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our infirmities, and carried our sorrows. And we have thought him as it were a leper, and as one struck by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way; and the Lord hath laid upon him the iniquity of us all. He was offered because it was his own will, and he opened not his mouth. He shall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearer; and he shall not open his mouth. He was taken away from distress, and from judgment. Who shall declare his generation? because he is cut off out of the land of the living. For the wickedness of my people have I struck him. And he shall give the ungodly for his burial, and the rich for his death; because he hath done no iniquity, neither was there deceit in his mouth. And the Lord was pleased to bruise him in infirmity. If he shall lay down his life for sin, he shall see a long-lived seed, and the will of the lord shall be prosperous in his hand. Because his soul hath labored, he shall see and be filled; by his knowledge shall this my just servant justify many, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I distribute to him very many, and he shall divide the spoils of the strong, because he hath delivered his soul unto death, and was reputed with the wicked; and he hath borne the sins of many, and hath prayed for the transgressors. Again it is Isaias that instructs us, not indeed upon the triumph which our Emmanuel is to win over his enemies, but upon the sufferings of the Man of Sorrows. So explicit is his description of our Lord’s Passion that the holy Fathers have called him the fifth evangelist. What could be more sublimely plaintive than the language here used by the son of Amos? And we, after hearing both the Old and New Testament upon the sufferings which Jesus went through for our sins – how shall we sufficiently love this dear Redeemer, who bore our infirmities and carried our Sorrows, so as to look as a leper, and as one struck by God, and afflicted? We are healed by his bruises! O Heavenly Physician, that takes upon Himself the sufferings of them He comes to cure! But not only was He bruised for our sins; He was also slaughtered as a lamb: and this not merely as a victim submitting to the inflexible justice of His Father who hath laid upon him the iniquity of us all, but (as the prophet here assures us) because it was his own will. His love for us, as well as His submission to His Father, led Him to the great sacrifice. Observe too how He refuses to defend Himself before Pilate, who could so easily deliver Him from His enemies: “He shall be dumb as a lamb before his shearers, and he shall not open his mouth.” Let us love and adore this divine silence, which works our salvation. Let us not pass over an iota of the devotedness which Jesus shows us – a devotedness which never could have existed, save in the heart of a God. Oh! how much He has loved us – His children, the purchase of His Blood, His seed, as the prophet here calls us. O Holy Church! thou long-lived seed of Jesus, that laid down his life! – thou art dear to Him, for He bought thee at a great price. Faithful Souls! give Him love for love! sinners! be converted to this your Savior; His Blood will restore you to life, for if we have all gone astray like sheep, remember what is added: “The Lord hath laid upon him the iniquity of us all.” There is no sinner, however great may be his crimes; there is no heretic, or infidel, who has not his share in this precious Blood, whose infinite merit is such that it could redeem a million worlds, more guilty even than our own. The Tract, which follows this Lesson, is taken from the 101st psalm, in which the Royal Prophet expresses the sufferings of body and mind endured by Jesus, in His human nature. TRACT Hear, O Lord, my prayer, and let my cry come unto thee. ℣. Turn not away thy face from me, in the day when I am in trouble, incline thine ear to me. ℣. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me speedily. ℣. For my days are vanished like smoke: and my bones are as if they were fried in a frying-pan. ℣. I am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered, because I forgot to eat my bread. ℣. Thou, O Lord, arising, wilt have mercy on Sion, for the time to have mercy on her is come. The Church then gives us the history of the Passion according to St. Luke. This evangelist mentions several details not given by Sts. Matthew and Mark, which will assist us to a fuller understanding of the divine mystery of the sufferings and sacrifice of the Man-God. THE PASSION AND GOSPEL The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke 22:1-23:53 At that time: The feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Pasch, was at hand. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put Jesus to death; but they feared the people. and Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariot, one of the twelve; and he went, and discoursed with the chief priests and the magistrates, how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised; and he sought opportunity to betray him in the absence of the multitude. And the day of the unleavened bread came, on which it was necessary that the Pasch should be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying: Go and prepare us the Pasch, that we may eat. But they said: Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said to them: Behold, as you go into the city, there shall meet you a man carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in, and you shall say to the good man of the house: The Master saith to thee: Where is the guest-chamber, where I may eat the Pasch with my disciples? and he will show you a large dining-room furnished; and there prepare. And they going, found as he had said to them, and they made ready the Pasch; and when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said to them: With desire I have desired to eat this Pasch with you before I suffer. For I say to you that from this time I will not eat it, till it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And having taken the chalice he gave thanks, and said: Take and divide it among you. For I say to you, that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God come. And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake, and gave to them, saying: This is my Body, which is given to you: do this for a commemoration of me. In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament of my Blood, which shall be shed for you. But yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And the Son of Man indeed goeth according to that which is determined; but yet woe to that man by whom he shall be betrayed. And they began to enquire among themselves which of them it was that should do this thing. And there was also a strife amongst them, which of them should seem to be the greater. And he said to them: The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and they that have power over them, are called beneficent. But you not so; but he that is the greater among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is the leader, as he that serveth. For which is greater, he that sitteth at the table, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at table? But I am in the midst of you, as he that serveth; and you are they who have continued with me in my temptations. And I dispose to you, as my Father hath disposed to me, a kingdom: that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and may sit upon thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And the Lord said: Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not: and thou, being once converted, confirm thy brethren. Who said to him: Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said: I say to thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, till thou thrice deniest that knowest me. And he said to them: When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, did you want anything? But they said: Nothing. Then he said to them: But now he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his coat, and buy one. For I say to you, that this that is written must yet be fulfilled in me, “And he was reckoned among the wicked:” for the things concerning me have an end. But they said: Lord, here are two swords. And he said to them: It is enough. And going out, he went according to his custom to the Mount of Olives. And his disciples also followed him. And when he was come to the place, he said to them: Pray, lest you enter into temptation. And he was withdrawn away from them a stone’s cast; and kneeling down he prayed, saying: Father, if thou wilt, remove this chalice from me: but yet not my will, but thine be done. And there appeared to him an Angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony, he prayed the longer. And his sweat became as drops of blood trickling down upon the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow. And he said to them: Why sleep you? Arise, pray, lest you enter into temptation. As he was yet speaking, behold a multitude; and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him. And Jesus said to him: Judas, dost thou betray the Son of Man with a kiss? And they that were about him, seeing what would follow, said to him: Lord, shall we strike with the sword? And one of them struck the servant of the High Priest, and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answering, said: Suffer ye thus far. And when he had touched his ear, he healed him. And Jesus said to the chief priests and magistrates of the temple, and the ancients that were come to him: Are you come out, as it were against a thief, with swords and clubs? When I was daily with you in the temple, you did not stretch forth your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness. And apprehending him, they led him to the High Priest’s house: but Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were sitting about it, Peter was in the midst of them. Whom when a certain servant maid had been sitting at the light, and had earnestly beheld him, she said: This man also was with him. But he denied, saying: Woman, I know him not. And after a little while, another seeing him, said: Thou also art one of them. But Peter said: O man, I am not. And after the space as it were of one hour, another certain man affirmed, saying: Of a truth this man was also with him: for he is also a Galilean. And Peter said: Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately as he was yet speaking, the cock crew. And the Lord turning looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, as he had said: Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter going out wept bitterly. And the men that held him, mocked him, and struck him. And they blindfolded him, and smote him on the face. And they asked him, saying: Prophesy, who is it that struck thee? And blaspheming, many other things they said against him. And as soon as it was day, the ancients of the people, and the chief priests, and scribes came together, and they brought him into their council, saying: If thou be the Christ, tell us. And he said to them: If I shall tell you, you will not believe me; and if I shall also ask you, you will not answer me, nor let me go. But hereafter the Son of man shall be sitting on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all: Art thou the Son of God? And he said: You say that I am. And they said: What need we any further testimony? For ourselves have heard it from his own mouth. And the whole multitude of them rose up, and led him away to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying: We have found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, and saying that he is Christ the King. And Pilate asked him, saying: Art thou the King of the Jews? But he answering, said: Thou sayest it. But Pilate said to the chief priests and to the multitude: I find no cause in this man. But they were more earnest, saying: He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place. But Pilate hearing Galilee, asked if the man were of Galilee? And when he understood that he was of Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him away to Herod, who himself was also at Jerusalem in those days. And Herod seeing Jesus was very glad, for he was desirous of a long time to see him, because he had heard many things of him: and he hoped to see some sign wrought by him. And he questioned him with many words. But he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes stood by, earnestly accusing him. And Herod with his army set him at naught, and mocked him, putting on him a white garment, and sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate were made friends that same day; for before they were enemies to one another. Then Pilate calling together the chief priests, and the magistrates, and the people, said to them: You have brought this man to me as one that perverteth the people: and, behold I, having examined him before you, find no cause in this man touching those things wherein you accuse him. No, nor Herod neither. For I sent you to him, and behold, nothing worthy of death is done to him. I will chastise him therefore and release him. Now of necessity he was to release unto them one upon the feast day. But the whole multitude together cried out at once, saying: Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas. Who, for a certain sedition made in the city, and for a murder, was cast into prison. And Pilate again spoke to them, desiring to release Jesus. But they cried out again, saying: Crucify him, crucify him. And he said to them the third time: Why, what evil hath this man done? I find no cause of death in him. I will chastise him therefore, and let him go. But they were instant with loud voices requiring that he might be crucified; and their voices prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. And he released unto them him who for murder and sedition had been cast into prison, whom they had desired: but Jesus he delivered up to their will. And as they led him away, they laid hold on one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country: and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus. And there followed him a great multitude of people, and of women, who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning to them, said: Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not over me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. for behold the days shall come, wherein they will say, Blessed are the children, and the wombs that have not born, and the paps that have not given suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains: Fall upon us; and to the hills: Cover us. For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry? And there were also two other malefactors led with him, to be put to death. And when they sere come to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified him there; and the robbers, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. And Jesus said: Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. But they dividing his garments, cast lots. And the people stood beholding, and the rulers with them derided him, saying: He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the elect of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying: If thou be the King of the Jews, save thyself. And there was also a superscription written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew: This is the King of the Jews. And one of the robbers who were hanged, blasphemed him, saying: If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art under the same condemnation. And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done no evil. And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise. And it was almost the sixth hour; and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened; and the veil of the Temple was rent in the midst. And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. And saying this, he gave up the ghost. Here, a pause is made, as on Palm Sunday. All kneel down, and if such be the custom of the place, they prostrate and kiss the ground. Now the centurion seeing what was done, glorified God, saying: Indeed this was a just man. And all the multitude of them that were come together to that sight, and saw the things that were done, returned striking their breast. And all his acquaintance, and the women that had followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. Here, the Deacon offers the incense to the priest, that he may bless it; and, having himself received a blessing, he concludes the history of the Passion, observing the ceremonies used for singing the Gospel at High Mass. And behold there was a man named Joseph, who was a counselor, a good and just man (the same had not consented to their counsel and doing), of Arimathea, a city of Judea, who also himself looked for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. And taking him down he wrapped him in fine linen, and laid him in a sepulcher that was hewed in stone, wherein never yet any man had been laid. The words of the Offertory are those of Jesus, suppliantly beseeching His Eternal Father not to turn His face from His own Son, who is a prey to every suffering, both of body and mind. OFFERTORY Hear, O Lord, my prayer; and let my cry come to thee: turn not away thy face from me. In the Secret, the Church prays that we may have a tender devotion for the holy sacrifice of the Mass, in which the Passion of our Savior is daily commemorated. SECRET Accept, O Lord, we beseech thee, the offerings we have made; and mercifully grant that we may receive, with pious sentiments, what we celebrate in the mystery of the Passion of our Lord. Through the same, etc. For the other Secrets, see the Mass for Monday in Holy Week. COMMUNION I mingled my drink with weeping; for having lifted me up, thou hast thrown me down, and I am withered like grass; but thou, O Lord, endurest forever: thou shalt arise, and have mercy on Sion; because the time to have mercy on her is come. The death of Jesus should be to us an unceasing motive for confidence in the divine mercy. This confidence is one of the first conditions of our salvation. The Church asks it for us in the Postcommunion. POSTCOMMUNION Grant, O Almighty God, that we may have a lively hope, that thou hast given us eternal life by the temporal death of thy Son, represented in these adorable mysteries. Through the same, etc. For the other Postcommunions, see the Mass for Monday in Holy Week. LET US PRAY Bow down your heads to God. Look down, O Lord, we beseech thee, on this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ hesitated not to be delivered into the hands of wicked men, and undergo the punishment of the Cross. Who liveth, etc. As an appropriate exercise for the close of this day, we offer our readers the following stanzas from a hymn of the Greek Liturgy: they allude to the mysteries we have been explaining. HYMN (In Parasceve) On this day, Judas leaves his Master, and takes the devil for his guide. The love of money blinds him. He fell from the light, he became darkened; for how could he be said to see, who sold the Light for thirty pieces of silver? But to us he has risen, that he suffered for the world: let us thus cry out unto him: Glory be to thee, that didst endure thy Passion, and hadst compassion, for mankind! What was it, O Judas! that led thee to betray Jesus? Had he cut thee off from the number of his Apostles? Had he deprived thee of the gift of healing the sick? When he supped with his Apostles, did he drive thee from table? When he washed their feet, did he pass thee by? And yet, thou wast unmindful of these great favors! Thy ungrateful plot has branded thee with infamy: but his incomparable patience and great mercy are worthy of praise. Say, O ye unjust ones! what is it ye have heard from our Savior? Did he not expound unto you the Law and the Prophets? Why, therefore, have ye plotted how to deliver up to Pilate the Word that is from God, and that came to redeem our souls? They that had enjoyed thy unceasing gifts cried out: Let him be crucified! These murderers of such as were innocent, sought thee, that they might treat thee, their benefactor, as an evil-doer. But thou, O Christ! didst bear their wickedness with silence, for thou being the lover of mankind, didst desire to suffer for and save us. We are prevented from speaking by the multitude of our sins: do thou, O Virgin-Mother of God! pray for us to Him that was born of thee, for the Mother’s prayer avails much with the mercy of our Lord. Despise not, O most pure Virgin! the prayers of sinners, for he that refused not even to suffer for us, is merciful, and is able to save us. We subjoin the following beautiful Preface from the Ambrosian Missal: it expresses, in a most touching manner, the sentiments which a Christian should have within him on this vigil of our Lord’s Supper. PREFACE It is meet and just, right and available to salvation, that we should ever, here and in all places, give thanks to thee, O Holy Lord, Almighty Father, Eternal God, through Christ our Lord: who, being innocent, willed to suffer for sinners, and be unjustly condemned for the guilty. His Death wiped away our crimes, and his Resurrection opened for us the gates of heaven. Through him we beseech thy clemency, that, today, thou cleanse us from our sins, and, tomorrow, feed us on the banquet of the venerable Supper; that, today, thou receive the confession of our faults, and tomorrow, grant us the increase of spiritual gifts; that, today, thou receive the offering of our fasts, but, tomorrow, introduce us to the feast of the most holy Supper. Through the same Christ our Lord. This text is taken from The Liturgical Year, authored by Dom Prosper Guéranger (1841-1875). LifeSiteNews is grateful to The Ecu-Men website for making this classic work easily available online.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. - Philippians 3:12

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. (Luke 6:45 NLT) This Scripture in Luke 6 follows Jesus’ extensive teaching in vs. 27-44 about extending forgiveness to one another. Good things flow from the heart of a person who walks in forgiveness. They can express joy in ways that the bitter person can’t. Few people enjoy spending time around someone who is bitter—the amount of complaining and negativity can be draining. Hopefully no one specific comes to mind!   Years ago, when I was in a paid ministry position at a church, a couple of members went to the pastors and tried to get me fired. I remember being so angry and it took me quite a while to forgive them, which was sad. I understand there is a healthy process we can walk through of being angry but avoiding sin (Ephesians 4:26). It’s important not to suppress or live in denial when someone hurts us. However, the amount of torment I experienced by allowing bitterness in my heart was unacceptable. As a child of God, I knew better and had experienced the poison of unforgiveness before. Unfortunately, I had not allowed the foundation of Christ’s command to forgive to become solidified in my heart. One thing about the brutality of unforgiveness is that it distorts our perspective. We believe others are truly against us, which perpetuates the wounding.  Thankfully, Jesus patiently walked me through and helped me to forgive. He helped me see that, even though some of the things they shared were not true, this couple was not trying to lie. They truly believed a distorted version of events. Plus, compared to the unending amount of sin that I had been forgiven for—paid for by Jesus—what took place pales in comparison. Painful, yes. But a blip on the radar compared to what Jesus took on the cross.  I remember seeing this couple years later and was able to hug them and have a great conversation. What was amazing was that I had truly forgotten about everything that had happened—not just able to forgive them but did not even remember! I’ll never forget when the Lord spoke to me the next day and said, See what I did there. You didn’t even remember what took place. I only remembered what had happened once the Lord spoke to me. But the memory was without any sting.  The Lord helped me give them mercy because He is merciful. How many people through the years has the Lord helped extend mercy to me when I fell short? Jesus is the treasure in our heart and the world will know we are His disciples by how we love one another. He who is forgiven much loves much. (Luke 7:47) The words that we speak are evidence of our posture of walking in forgiveness. Jesus told us that offenses will come. (Luke 17:1) May we keep our hearts soft towards one another when they do.  Prayer for today:  Father, help us to receive Your love and extend it to one another. Thank You for forgiving us, help us to extend that same grace to others. May You show us anywhere we haven’t forgiven and lead us into all truth. All things are possible with You. In Jesus name, amen.   ~ Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. 

By Jon Brown, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, March 31, 2026Former Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., spoke for nearly an hour with Focus on the Family President and CEO Jim Daly during an interview titled "What I By Facing Death," which aired March 27, 2026. | Screenshot/YouTube/Focus on the FamilyFormer Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., recently reflected on the pain of knowing he must soon leave his 14-year-old son without a father because of his terminal cancer diagnosis, but explained why he maintains hope and gratitude to God amid suffering that doesn't have an easy answer.During a roughly hour-long interview with Focus on the Family President and CEO Jim Daly that aired last Friday, Sasse responded to the problem of suffering by reframing the question, noting what he finds mysterious is why God would desire a relationship with sinners by redeeming their suffering and taking it upon Himself. "I obviously don't understand it," Sasse said of suffering. "But Jesus took on incarnate flesh, and came and didn't just fulfill the whole law for us. He also suffered all the punishment that Adam and we, in Adam, deserve."Sasse, who was given months to live after being diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer last December, went on to observe that suffering often plays an important role in the Christian's journey of sanctification and that God often uses it to purify the believer's heart of inordinate affections."And though it's terrible, there is something very special in being able to be united with Christ's suffering en route to this veil of tears' final enemy, this last enemy [of death], because it helps us cleave away from all the idolatries we've built as we fell in love with the creation, instead of the Creator," Sasse said.Daly, who shared that he was orphaned by the age of 11, went on to reflect on how losing his parents at a young age left him with hurt that has never fully healed. He questioned how Sasse is dealing with the pain of knowing that his daughters, Corrie and Alex, who are in their 20s, and especially his 14-year-old son, Breck, will soon have to experience that.Wiping tears away, Sasse quoted the late Reformed theologian R.C. Sproul's observation that "there is no maverick molecule" in God's universe."God is not uncertain about anything that has happened, is happening or will happen, and He will weave together that mosaic for our own good," Sasse said. "God loves His Church and those Christians that He has written into eternity. He will use this for good."Despite his faith in God's sovereignty, Sasse noted that his "deepest aches" concern leaving his family behind, though he believes they will all be reunited eternally someday."The part that's most baffling is, why will Breck not have a dad at 15 or 17 or 19? And yet, God knows exactly what He's doing, and He has a plan for Breck's life, that covenant child. But it hurts."In a recent interview with Jim Daly, Ben Sasse answered several challenging questions about how to respond to suffering with both Christian faith and hope:"I don't want to be aggressive with the intellectualist rationalist side, but God tells us in Scripture everything we need… pic.twitter.com/pU7PCiE6hW— Melissa the Hopeful????Homemaker (@BiblicalBeauty) March 29, 2026 Regarding what he would say to those who are struggling with believing in God's goodness amid their own pain and suffering, Sasse offered his perspective "from two angles.""I don't want to be aggressive with the intellectualist rationalist side, but God tells us in Scripture everything we need to know for faith and life, but He doesn't tell us everything we want to know or everything that we ultimately will know. And He is God, and to whom else would we go?""So, I trust Him because He is who He is, and He has been faithful. And so, I won't get every answer this side of eternity.""Death is an enemy. Death is wicked. But it's the final enemy. It's our last battle. And after that, there will be no more tears. And so, we will have these answers, and we will know that God used it for His good," he added.Sasse has spent his final months doing multiple interviews about the hope he has in the face of his own suffering and death because of Jesus Christ, telling Hoover Institution President Peter Robinson in February that he is endeavoring to "redeem the time."During another interview with his longtime friends, Michael Horton and Dan Bryant, Sasse acknowledged his subjection to the Curse as a son of the first Adam, but grew emotional describing the kindness of Christ in laying aside His glory to become the second Adam and restore fellowship with sinners by conquering death.

A scene from an animated video by Jordan’s Digitales Media shows a family using breathing exercises to manage stress during a missile alert. Courtesy of Digitales Media As sirens warning of possible missile strikes echo across parts of the Middle East, a Jordanian animation company has released a short video aimed at helping families cope with the emotional strain of the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Digitales Media, based in Amman, developed the five-minute animated episode to offer practical ways—especially for children—to deal with tension and anxiety linked to war conditions. The initiative comes as the conflict’s impact extends beyond physical destruction and travel disruptions, affecting daily life and mental well-being across the region. The episode opens with the now-familiar sound of the siren blasting through an apartment neighborhood in Amman while the streets are deserted. The production is part of a long-running YouTube series, Our Family Life, that has captured the imagination of families around the region. Cynthia Madanat-Sharaiha, creative director and co-owner of Digitales Media, explains that her team was looking for ways to help families during the war. “We wanted to find a practical way for people in general, and children in particular, to deal with tensions emanating from the war,” she told Christian Daily International. Shadi Sharaiha, the program’s executive producer, told CDI that this particular episode of “Our Family Life” was a deliberate attempt to translate evidence-based coping techniques into something families can actually use at home—in moments of tension and after the sirens fade. “The entire Middle East region has been overwhelmed with flying missiles and 24-hour war news that has engulfed everyone. Our creative team worked around the clock to find practical solutions that can help families deal with trauma, not only during war but at any other time,” he said. In the YouTube video, after hearing the siren, Abu Sanad’s family meets and reflects on their concerns. The mother presents breathing exercises and encourages her family to follow them. The company says they were careful to present evidence-based treatments in a visually attractive manner, with additional downloadable exercises provided at the end. Issam Smeir, a Chicago-based trauma counselor and advisor to the content of the Digitales products, told CDI that the “Our Family Life” series is not merely entertaining but a creative show that helps parents teach their children how to engage with life’s challenges. He said that “the dealing-with-stress episode” aims to help families regulate their nervous systems when war anxiety spills into daily life. “The wisdom comes from the mother, whose on-screen breathing exercises are not gimmicks but a gateway to resilience that can be learned without prior therapy and without leaving the living room,” he explained. Smeir said that stress is a natural response to an unnatural situation. According to the mental health specialist, the breathing exercise helps “reset the nervous system back to normal.” Digitales Media adopted a real-time approach, pairing a short film with downloadable exercises and a digital toolkit offering science-based methods to manage stress and trauma. The approach combines accessibility with methods commonly used in clinical trauma care, including breathing exercises and routines designed to create a sense of safety. Yet in many Arab countries, where access to mental health services can be uneven, stigmatized, or disrupted by displacement—these tools risk remaining abstract unless they are rendered tangible and culturally resonant. Digitales, the producer of the award-winning feature film “Saleem,” is a leading media organization that creates content addressing emotional issues. It tells the story of a curious and adventurous nine-year-old who moves to a new town with his family after losing his father. The company’s co-directors, Shadi and Cynthia Sharaiha, received the King Abdullah II Award of Excellence for the film and the production team was also visited by Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Princess Rajwa during production. Digitales also produces a creative digital mental health and psychosocial support tool, “Amal for Children,” that combines animation and storytelling with evidence-based therapy modalities to help reduce the intensity and frequency of PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms in children navigating trauma. Their video content has been used by refugee groups in Egypt and has been translated for use in other regions of the world.Church leaders have said the production enables them to better support children in difficult situations as they cope with stress and trauma. When content is crafted in local dialects and framed within familiar family dynamics, it becomes less intimidating and more credible, producers say. The Jordanian film’s setting in Amman, its emphasis on family participation and its clear, actionable guidance exemplify how healing tools can be culturally anchored and practically useful. With the conflict reaching countries unaccustomed to such threats, the sound of sirens and the need to seek shelter have contributed to rising stress levels among families. The video presents a practical sequence from awareness to action, equipping families with tools they can use in daily life, whether at home, in school or during emergencies.

Christian Daily International is launching an international podcast series, Faith Without Frontiers, on March 31, 2026, marking a new chapter in its mission to share stories of faith, resilience and leadership from across the global Church. Hosted by Gordon Showell-Rogers, International Director of Christian Daily International, the podcast will release 10 episodes in its first season, with new installments published every Tuesday. The series is made up of heart-to-heart conversations with Christian believers, many in leadership roles, from a wide range of nations and professional backgrounds. From Europe to the Middle East, Africa to North America and Asia, guests include legal professionals, humanitarian workers, entrepreneurs, academics, public servants and survivors of profound hardship. Their stories touch on justice issues, displacement, war, human trafficking, ethical leadership, youth ministry and public life. “The podcasts are simply conversations with extraordinary friends about their amazing and challenging faith journeys, and what has shaped their lives,” Showell-Rogers said. “I’m deeply grateful for friends’ willingness to speak very openly, often sharing deeply personal realities.” He said what has struck him most is the goodness of God in very diverse circumstances and contexts. “What this very international series of conversations has in common is a sense of the presence of God, the work of God in often dark, sometimes funny situations all over the world,” he said. “I hope that others will enjoy the first series as much as I have enjoyed recording them.” The title Faith Without Frontiers reflects both the geographical breadth of the guests and the spiritual theme that unites them — stories of faith stepping beyond boundaries, both personal and international. It was not the only title under consideration. Showell-Rogers’ teenage grandson suggested the more playful: “Gordon’s Gospel Gossip.” “In many ways, that title captures the authentic, unscripted nature of these conversations between friends. My guests have all loved it,” he said. “But we decided that a slightly more serious title might be good - at least for now.” While the contexts differ — from courtrooms to classrooms, from refugee ministries to national institutions — a common thread runs through each episode: perseverance and hope rooted in Christ. “I am struck by the resilience of the human spirit and the resilience of the human spirit in Christ,” he said. “Some of the stories are deeply painful. But each person is continuing to trust God, walking forward with Christ and serving Him in remarkable ways.” The podcast aligns closely with Christian Daily International’s broader mission to strengthen global Christian unity and understanding. “Our overall aim is to help believers around the world hear one another’s stories and understand that we are all part of one body in Christ globally,” Showell-Rogers said. “I hope that as you listen, you will find yourself thinking, ‘That person’s God is my God.’” He added that the stories may encourage listeners — perhaps particularly younger believers — to consider how their own professions and life paths can become avenues of service. “I hope that something of that will come across when people listen,” he said, “and that people will feel inspired to walk with Christ, serving him in their own area, in the place to which the Lord has called them.” Season 1 of Faith Without Frontiers begins March 31, 2026, with new episodes released every Tuesday.

Protest in Karachi, Pakistan on March 29, 2026 against court upholding forcible marriage and conversion of 13-year-old girl. CDI screenshot of video Christians, rights advocates and civil society members at protests in Pakistan on Sunday (March 29) condemned a recent federal court verdict upholding a forced conversion/marriage of a Christian girl by a Muslim man. Following a Federal Constitutional Court ruling that enabled a 30-year-old Muslim to retain custody of 13-year-old Maria Shahbaz, in Karachi a large number of Christians gathered outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday (March 29). They carried placards and shouted slogans demanding immediate protection for underage girls and stronger legislation against forced faith conversions and child marriages. Speakers at the protest rally warned of a rising pattern of abductions, forced conversions and marriages involving Christian girls. They urged the Federal Constitutional Court to revisit the verdict and called on the president and prime minister to take immediate notice. “We condemn the Federal Constitutional Court for trampling over the existing child marriage laws of the country by validating the Islamic conversion and marriage of an underage Christian minor girl,” church leader and rights activist Ghazala Shafique said in her address to protestors. “How can minors, who cannot legally obtain identity documents, be deemed capable of making decisions about religion or marriage?” Other speakers demanded that all controversial laws and decisions affecting minority communities be reviewed in consultation with stakeholders, emphasizing that failure to address these issues deepens insecurity among minority families. Protests coincided with Palm Sunday observances, with worshippers marking the occasion with rallies, prayers, and hymns. Parallel demonstrations were organized by other groups, including the National Christian Party and Gawahi Mission Trust. Girls holding placards joined calls for justice in the Maria Shahbaz case and enforcement of laws prohibiting marriages under 18. The protesters highlighted that without urgent legal reforms and judicial review, vulnerable groups, particularly young girls, remained at serious risk. The speakers stressed the importance of united support from all religious communities and equal protection for minorities, underscoring the need for urgent government action to prevent further exploitation of children. In Lahore, representatives of civil society, political, and human rights organizations held a joint press conference at the Lahore Press Club on Saturday (March 28), expressing outrage over the decision in the Maria Shahbaz case. Samson Salamat, chairman of Rwadari Tehreek or Movement for Equality, described the ruling as “misleading” and a setback for efforts to protect minors from premature unions that can cause lasting physical, emotional, and educational harm. Salamat highlighted that the Federal Constitutional Court’s decision effectively validates the forced marriage of the 13-year-old Christian girl to a Muslim man, citing sharia (Islamic law), despite the Child Marriage Restraint Act and its provincial variations, including the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026, Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013, Balochistan Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025, and Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025, which set the minimum age of marriage for girls at 18. Other speakers at the press conference included Irfan Mufti, convener of the Joint Action Committee for Peoples Rights; Saeeda Diep, chairperson of the Institute for Peace and Secular Studies; Katherine Sapna, executive director of Christians’ True Spirit (CTS); Emmanuel Khokhar, spokesperson for the Church of Pakistan; and Pastor Amjad Niamat, chairperson of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan. The speakers highlighted the broader implications of the verdict for minority girls in Pakistan, who are disproportionately affected by forced conversions and child marriages. Salamat warned that the decision could embolden perpetrators to exploit vulnerable girls, forcibly converting them and marrying them off, effectively erasing their identities and denying them education, autonomy, and protection. He described the ruling as a violation of Pakistan’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and a reminder of the inconsistencies in the legal framework for protecting minors. The civil society leaders stressed that while Pakistan’s existing laws prohibit child marriage, inconsistent enforcement and conflicting judicial interpretations continue to leave children vulnerable, particularly within minority communities. “This verdict sends a dangerous signal that the rights of minority girls can be overridden, even when there is clear documentary evidence of their age and legal protections,” Salamat said, referring to Maria’s birth registration issued by NADRA and corroborated by the relevant union council. The press conference also addressed concerns about the social and psychological impact on victims of forced conversion and early marriage. “Minors subjected to such practices are at risk of physical abuse, exploitation, and long-term emotional trauma. Immediate legal and institutional safeguards are necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future,” said CTS’s Katherine Sapna. She urged the government to strengthen implementation of existing child protection laws and to consider new legislation that addresses the exploitation of religious minorities. Other speakers underscored that religious and social reforms must be coupled with judicial accountability. They urged the Federal Constitutional Court to review the judgment, stating that the ruling had created widespread fear within minority communities and highlighted the urgent need for legal clarity and protection mechanisms. “We will continue to raise our voice at every available platform until every child in Pakistan, regardless of religion, can grow up free from fear, coercion, and abuse,” Salamat asserted while presenting a condemnation resolution. Maria’s family says she was abducted in Lahore on July 29, 2025 and subjected to forced conversion and coerced marriage. A re-investigation conducted under the direction of the sessions court found that the marriage certificate had been fabricated, with the union council confirming no official record existed. Despite this evidence, the Federal Constitutional Court awarded custody to her captor “husband,” effectively validating the marriage and disregarding documentary evidence of her age and the applicable child protection laws.

President Bola Tinubu with UK PM Keir Starmer. This is the first state visit by a Nigerian president to Britain in nearly 40 years framed by Nigerian officials as a turning point in bilateral relations. Bola Tinubu/Facebook Nigeria and the United Kingdom have moved to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties following President Bola Tinubu’s state visit on March 18 - 19. But UK lawmakers and Christian groups warn that future cooperation should depend on ending violence against Christians. Tinubu’s official state visit, which is the first by a Nigerian president to Britain in nearly 40 years, was framed by Nigerian officials as a turning point in bilateral relations, focused on trade, investment and global partnership. In an official statement, the Nigerian presidency described the trip as “the beginning of a renewed phase in diplomatic, economic and cultural relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom,” highlighting efforts to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors. Presidential spokesman Tunde Rahman called the visit a “historic and glorious moment for Nigeria,” emphasizing its symbolic importance and the country’s re-emergence on the global stage. Meetings during the visit included engagements at Windsor Castle and Downing Street, alongside discussions on expanding trade and investment. Reports also pointed to major economic interests, including infrastructure and port development projects, as central to the talks. Commentary by The Guardian noted that the visit reflects Nigeria’s broader ambition to position itself as a regional power and attract foreign investment, signaling what it described as a return to the global stage. But even as both governments emphasized renewed partnership, UK lawmakers and Christian advocacy groups cautioned that the issue of violence against Christians in Nigeria cannot be ignored. Conditional cooperation More than 200 members of Parliament and peers called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to raise the matter directly with Tinubu, urging that human rights, particularly religious freedom, be made a condition of future cooperation. In a joint letter, lawmakers from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freedom of Religion or Belief warned that Nigeria must take urgent steps to address attacks on Christian communities. The group’s chairman, Jim Shannon, said Nigeria must take “concrete steps to prevent the harassment, persecution and killing of Christians, while ensuring that perpetrators are investigated and prosecuted.” The letter also called for human rights obligations to become “fundamental to all future diplomatic, security and trade discussions” between the two countries. Christian campaigners have echoed those demands, arguing that Nigeria has become one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians. They cite ongoing attacks on churches, kidnappings and killings in rural communities, often linked to extremist groups and armed militias. Advocates say economic leverage may be one of the few tools capable of driving meaningful change, and have urged the UK government to tie trade deals and diplomatic engagement to measurable improvements in security and accountability. Some lawmakers had gone further, calling on Starmer to confront Tinubu directly over the issue during the visit, describing the situation as urgent and long overdue for action. Despite the pressure, Nigerian officials have not publicly responded to calls for conditional trade or acknowledged the issue in the same terms as UK critics. Instead, the Nigerian government has consistently framed the violence as part of a broader security crisis affecting multiple communities, including both Christians and Muslims, driven by terrorism, banditry and communal conflict. Nigeria has faced years of instability involving insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, alongside criminal gangs responsible for kidnappings and attacks on villages, according to international media reports. While Christians are among those affected, experts say the wider conflict is fueled by a complex mix of factors, including economic hardship, land disputes and weak security infrastructure. The differing narratives have created a delicate diplomatic balancing act for the UK government. On one hand, Britain maintains strong historical and economic ties with Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies and a key regional partner. On the other, domestic political pressure is mounting for a more values-driven foreign policy that prioritizes human rights. Lawmakers warn that failing to act risks undermining the UK’s global commitment to freedom of religion. For Nigerian officials, however, the focus remains firmly on strengthening ties and projecting stability. The visit was presented as an opportunity to deepen cooperation, attract investment and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a significant global player. The contrast in priorities underscores a broader tension between economic diplomacy and human rights advocacy - one that remains unresolved. As both countries move forward with plans to expand cooperation, the question of whether human rights concerns will shape future agreements continues to hang over the relationship.

(LifeSiteNews) — Following a meeting on Monday with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See, Yaron Sideman, expressed “regret” over the “unfortunate incident” of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, being denied access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday. In a March 30 statement released via Telegram and reported by Vatican News, the Holy See announced that Parolin, along with Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, had met with Sideman earlier that day to discuss and clarify the “unfortunate incident” on Palm Sunday. The Holy See noted the agreement reached between the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and local Israeli authorities allowing the liturgical celebrations for Holy Week and Easter inside the church. On the morning of Palm Sunday, March 29, Israeli police had stopped Pizzaballa and Father Francesco Ielpo, Custodian of the Holy Land, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, thus preventing them from celebrating Mass at the location on apparent security grounds linked to the ongoing war. In its statement, the Holy See Press Office stressed that during the conversation, “regret was expressed over what happened, clarifications were provided, and note was taken of the agreement reached between the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the local authorities regarding participation in the liturgies of the Easter Triduum at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.” READ: Israeli police block Cdl. Pizzaballa from Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday Notably, Pizzaballa and Ielpo were stopped while proceeding privately, without any form of procession or public ceremony, and were compelled to turn back. As a consequence, for the first time in centuries, the heads of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land were unable to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. “This incident is a grave precedent,” the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land noted in a joint press release, adding that the measure was “manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate” and constituted “an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the Status Quo.” The Patriarchate further underscored that, since the beginning of the war, Church authorities had “complied fully with all imposed restrictions: public gatherings were canceled, attendance [at liturgies] was prohibited, and arrangements were made to broadcast the celebrations” worldwide to ensure participation by the faithful. Israeli police had defended the decision, stating that all holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem lacking protected areas had been closed to worshipers, in accordance with directives issued by the Home Front Command. The authorities indicated that the Patriarchate’s request for access had been examined and denied for these reasons. Jonathan Peled, Israel’s ambassador to Italy, went a step further, insisting that Pizzaballa had been clearly informed in advance that access to places of worship was not permitted for security reasons and stressing that the Latin patriarch nevertheless chose not to comply with those instructions. READ: Why are American Catholic influencers silent about attacks on Christians in Gaza? Later that day, however, Israeli President Isaac Herzog reported that he had spoken directly with the patriarch to express regret over the incident, attributing the situation to ongoing war threats, including missile attacks allegedly targeting Israeli territory. Following public reaction and diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that measures were being arranged to allow access for religious authorities in the next few days. Netanyahu later confirmed that he had instructed relevant authorities to grant Pizzaballa “full and immediate access” to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. On March 30, the same day the Holy See met with Sideman, the Latin Patriarchate and the Custody of the Holy Land issued a further joint statement confirming that “the matters concerning the Holy Week and Easter celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have been addressed and resolved in coordination with the relevant authorities.” Access for Church representatives was secured to allow the continuation of Holy Week and Easter liturgies at the Holy Sepulchre, while “the existing restrictions on public gatherings remain in force for the time being.”

(LifeSiteNews) — A Canadian woman with debilitating illnesses who had previously decided to euthanize herself with Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) has recently pulled herself back from the brink of killing herself, but she is in need of help with expenses for mobility, home accessibility, and medical care. “She’s hanging on by just a thread,” Lino DeFacendis, founder and CEO of Life Care Network, told LifeSiteNews. Help Tiffany Access Medical Care and Mobility Support Tiffany Felkai suffers from Cervical Cranial Instability and brain stem compression due to her genetic illness, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. This means the ligaments connecting her upper vertebrae and skull are loose, requiring a neck brace and causing a long list of symptoms, sometimes excruciating, that have included extreme headaches and paralysis. Tiffany was misdiagnosed for years by Canadian doctors. It wasn’t until she hired a medical case management agency and was sent to a U.S.-based neurologist that she received a correct diagnosis, her first step to obtaining proper treatment. However, the Ontario Ministry of Health (OMH) would only accept the diagnosis of Canadian doctors, leaving her unable to acquire the care she needed. She thereafter suffered from some personal issues and grueling physical symptoms: by October 2024, she was bed-bound up to 20 hours a day, suffered from week-long periods of speech loss, migraine-induced paralysis, and “unbearable” spine pain.  After having made literally hundreds of phone calls to government agencies and NGOs asking for help over the course of nine years, and having been denied funding for a critical surgery as well as pain management, Tiffany felt she had no choice but to commit assisted suicide. She lives alone, lacks family support, and has no one available to drive or help her in daily activities.  With the encouragement and support of Life Care Network (LCN) over the past few months, Tiffany has been convinced to hang on. LCN has been providing her with Personal Support Workers (PSWs) to help her through each day. However, Tiffany is also hanging on in hope of medical care and mobility support that will help manage her symptoms and allow her to be independent. Her LifeFunder fundraiser will help her obtain: A portable power chair with suspension An elevating seat on a power wheelchair that would allow her to access basic necessities An electric front door opener that would allow her to independently enter and exit her home safely  An adjustable bed frame, essential for symptom management, rest, and reducing pain and neurological strain Concussion rehabilitation therapy to manage neurological symptoms Help Tiffany Access Medical Care and Mobility Support All funds raised will go directly toward supporting these immediate needs. Obtaining these supports will go a long way in helping Tiffany to function independently and avoid further progression of her symptoms as she advocates for proper medical care. DeFacendis told LifeSiteNews that Tiffany has been “finding some comfort in our dear Lord’s wise command ‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.’ (Matthew 6:34)” He is requesting prayers for Tiffany and for the Life Care Network ministry. Learn more about Tiffany’s story here.

(LifeSiteNews) — On March 28, participants of a pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows organized by the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) were banned from entering the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows in Cuceglio, Italy, outside of Turin. The SSPX posted a video of Father Aldo Rossi, the leader of the pilgrimage, standing in front of the church door and reading aloud a statement. Even though the pilgrimage had been announced, the doors remained closed to them. The local newspaper La Voce reported on March 29 that several priests, the Consoling Sisters of the Sacred Heart, as well as dozens of lay people, among them young families, were participating in the pilgrimage that stretched over several miles, with some people carrying a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows. As the newspaper wrote, “the faithful of the Priory of San Carlo in Montalenghe had organized a Lenten pilgrimage, which had been announced in advance.” “No Mass, no liturgical celebration: just a few concluding prayers, as a gesture of devotion” were planned. La Voce, a secular newspaper, continued its report with consternation since, according to their sources, the decision to close the door to the pilgrimage group was made by the chaplain of the shrine, Don Luca Meinardi, but under the influence of his superior, Diocese of Ivrea Bishop Daniele Salera. The newspaper commented, “A choice that inevitably clashes with an ecclesiastical lexicon that in recent years has emphasized words like welcome, inclusion, dialogue, and mercy.” Don Rossi, the SSPX priest, comes to a similar conclusion when he stated in his videotaped commentary, and we quote his strong words here at length: “Well, in the prevailing culture of inclusion, doors are opened to everyone: to Anglicans who celebrate Mass in the mother of all churches in Rome, St. John Lateran, even though they are not even priests. Just two days ago, Rome sent a message to the female Anglican archbishop on the occasion of her installation, reminding her to walk together, bearing in mind that differences cannot erase the brotherhood born of our shared baptism. Churches are opening their doors to Protestants, even allowing them to celebrate Mass in a parish here in Turin. We pray together with all religions.” LifeSite had reported about the fact that Pope Leo XIV had sent on March 26 a welcoming message to Sarah Mullally, the new pro-abortionist and pro-LGBT archbishop of Canterbury, invoking the Holy Ghost for her ministry. “In asking the Lord to strengthen you with the gift of wisdom,” the Roman Pontiff wrote, “I pray that you may be guided by the Holy Spirit in serving your communities, and draw inspiration from the example of Mary, the Mother of God.” Don Rossi went on to say in his speech in front of the closed doors of the Marian shrine, which was built after a Marian apparition: “Churches are also opening to the earth goddess Pachamama, as happened in Rome. Churches are opening to LGBT groups and celebrating Mass with them, particularly at the Church of the Gesù in Rome. Doors are opening to Buddhists and animists, as happened at the 1986 Assisi meeting, where a statue of Buddha was even placed on the tabernacle. But for the Society of St. Pius X, simply to say a prayer for vocations — not Mass, but prayers for vocations — the doors are closed. In this case, there is no inclusion, but exclusion. Why? Because in the Pantheon there were all the gods except our Lord Jesus Christ.” Further expounding on this exclusion of the truth of Jesus Christ, Don Rossi pointed out that the founder of the SSPX, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre’s own tombstone has inscribed the words: “I have passed on what I received.” The priest continued, speaking with a calm voice: “Well, we do nothing other than pass on this truth, this tradition that we have simply received. But under the system of inclusivity, this cannot be accepted because, precisely, the truth is exclusive; one cannot remain in the middle.” The story about the fate this pilgrimage met has been picked up by Catholic media, such as the traditional Catholic blog Messa in Latina. While pointing out its own critical attitude toward the SSPX, the author of the post, Luigi Casalini, uses some strong words: “The terrible bishop of Ivrea scandalizes the faithful: think instead of his empty churches and seminaries! A real disgrace.” Radio Spada also covered the story and printed the entire speech by Don Rossi on its website. For Don Rossi, the conclusion was to offer up this injustice to those who a the cause of it. “We offer this sacrifice – not being able to enter church – for the Church, for the Pope, for the Bishop, for all priests,” he declared,” so that they may emerge as soon as possible from this darkness, from this false ecumenism, from this false culture of inclusiveness that excludes the truth, that is, excludes our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.” For La Voce journalist Liborio La Mattina, there is an angle to this story that goes beyond the local news when he wrote: “We’re not dealing with an abstract theological dispute here. We’re dealing with a concrete gesture: a door closed to those who simply wanted to pray. And immediately afterward, an equally concrete accusation: ‘Open to everyone, except us.’ This is where the story stops being local and becomes paradigmatic.” This event took place at a time that is not far from July 1 when the SSPX plans to consecrate more bishops in order to be able to continue its work for Tradition, the traditional Latin Mass, the traditional sacraments, and all the lay people who are asking them for their assistance.

By CP StaffTuesday, March 31, 2026First Baptist Dallas plans groundbreaking ceremony for new sanctuary.The historic sanctuary was destroyed in a fire nearly two years ago.The church is raising $95 million for the rebuilding effort and for missions.An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. First Baptist Dallas, Texas | Getty Images Nearly two years after First Baptist Dallas' historic sanctuary was destroyed in a fire, the megachurch has announced plans for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new building.Pastored by Robert Jeffress, the 16,000-member First Baptist Dallas has been in rebuilding mode since a four-alarm fire caused significant damage and a roof collapse in July 2024.  The blaze destroyed the nearly 150-year-old worship space but miraculously spared the original pulpit. Founded in 1890, the church has been a cornerstone in Southern Baptist life, often described as the "Notre Dame" of the denomination. While arson was ruled out, investigators said in September 2024 the cause of the fire would "remain undetermined."After the fire, First Baptist Dallas launched its most significant fundraising effort ever, Mission 18, to bring its new vision to life by raising $95 million to support both the new sanctuary and other church ministries.On Palm Sunday, as the congregation gathered to mark the start of Holy Week, church leadership announced that on June 7, they will gather for Groundbreaking 2026, which will be a “special milestone” in the now two-year rebuilding effort. “This meaningful moment marks the beginning of a new chapter as we look ahead to what God will continue to do through First Baptist Dallas!” an event page on the church’s website stated.In early March, Senior Executive Pastor Ben Lovvorn announced construction was already underway on a new tunnel connecting the church lobby with the fountain plaza to allow the congregation easier and safer access as temporary walls continue to go up around the site."You might ask, 'Well, why is that tunnel there?' Well, we're going to begin some new construction to integrate the new facility, the new sanctuary, with our existing facility,” said Lovvorn in a video update. “And that includes some demolition of what is already in place."In January 2025, the church announced plans to spend $26 million on the new sanctuary, an effort that includes preserving the historic stained glass windows long associated with First Baptist Dallas.In October 2024, First Baptist Dallas unveiled plans to reconstruct its historic sanctuary. The proposed designs feature a larger steeple reminiscent of the original structure and plans for restored stained glass windows that will enhance the worship space."The steeple has been a symbolic cornerstone for our church, reminding us that Jesus Christ is our true cornerstone," Lovvorn said at the time.The new sanctuary will also include an elevated floor and a redesigned pulpit, which will be oriented on the north side of the building. Lovvorn previously said he hopes the change will create a more welcoming atmosphere for worshipers while incorporating modern amenities, including an expanded fellowship space, a grand staircase and a new multi-purpose venue beneath the sanctuary.

(LifeSiteNews) — A newly published paper written by two scholars, Alyssa Izatt and Kimberly Brownlee, and published by the University of Chicago Press, argues that girls under 18 should be forced to murder their babies through abortion, including with physical “restraint” or by sedation if necessary. Izatt and Brownlee’s paper, entitled “Justice for Girls: On the Provision of Abortion as Adequate Care,” published in the April 2026 issue of the University Press’s Ethics: An International Journal of Social, Political, and Legal Philosophy, calls on doctors to abort an underage girl’s unborn child even if they and their family want to carry them. The authors argue that having the abortion is in the girl’s “best interest,” just as it would be in a cancer patient’s best interest to treat the disease, and claiming that doctors should abort the baby even if that requires “sedation or physical restraint” of the mother. In the paper’s introduction, the authors underscored that parents or guardians of a young pregnant girl should never “pressure or compel” her to “continue a pregnancy.” “Nor should they confront her with the three ‘options’ of abortion, adoption, or mothering, as medical professionals are currently advised to do. Instead, her adult caregivers should view her impregnation as a malady and take steps to terminate it,” they wrote. Later in the piece, Izatt and Brownlee strikingly compare a doctor murdering a child through abortion to treating diseases such as cancer and performing procedures like a child’s organ transplant. They contended that just as it is in the child’s best interest to receive cancer treatment or perhaps an organ donation, it is also in their “best interest” to end their baby’s life. “By drawing an analogy with child organ donation and with serious medical conditions such as cancer, we show that doctors should revise their approach to treating impregnated children so that adequate medical care includes abortion care,” the scholars wrote. “Just as in organ donations, the only time caregivers could permit a child to continue a pregnancy would be when she was genuinely uncoerced, faced minimal risk, and had her best interests as a child served. Since carrying a pregnancy to term in childhood will fail to meet some or all of these requirements, caregivers have a moral duty to provide impregnated children with abortion care,” they added. It’s worth noting that despite the authors’ concerns for young girls being “coerced” into carrying their baby, the abortion lobby has long turned a blind eye to abortion coercion. Live Action’s “Aiding Abusers” series draws on news reports, eyewitness testimony, and undercover video to expose Planned Parenthood employees’ willingness to offer abortions to girls as young as 12 without reporting signs of statutory or forcible rape to law enforcement. This enables the men who brought the girls in for appointments to bring them home and continue abusing them. Indeed, in 2023, the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute released a study that interviewed 1,000 American women and found that 61 percent of women who undergo abortions do so due to pressure from “male partners, family members, other persons, financial concerns, and other circumstances.” READ: Over 60% of abortions are coerced in some way: peer-reviewed study Izatt and Brownlee further contended that in the event an underage girl “interpret(s) her pregnancy as a baby and feel(s) love for it and a desire to be a mother,” or her family objects, she might “require sedation or physical restraint” to carry out the abortion. “Providing abortion care to such a girl is an admittedly grim prospect, especially since she might resist the treatment,” the authors wrote. “Providing care might then require sedation or physical restraint, which could be traumatizing, especially since this is a girl who most likely has already had her bodily integrity violated by someone. Compelling abortion care for an unwilling girl thus might seem to compound the harm she has already endured,” they added. Izatt and Brownlee continued: Here, it is worth considering that, while it may be distressing for parents, medical caregivers, and the patient herself, the use of restraint (chemical or physical) on children to provide lifesaving or life-altering treatment is used in other areas of medicine, including in procedures such as surgeries and cancer treatment, and is justified as a last resort when it is necessary to provide adequate care. READ: Actress Christina Applegate shares the pain of aborting her child for the sake of her career While the scholars contend that forcing a likely already traumatized girl to undergo an abortion would be a “lifesaving treatment” like treating cancer, it would be life-ending for her unborn child. They also omitted any mention of the devastating effects that having an abortion has on women. Indeed, even pro-abortion women have described the intense emotional pain of having killed their child. In an X post, prominent Catholic apologist Trent Horn called the journal’s language on requiring sedation and physical restraint “Orwellian.” Dude. This is some crazy Orwellian language. It says, “Providing care might then require sedation or physical restraint, which could be traumatizing”. Do you agree with them doctors are *obligated* to hold down a fourteen-year-old girl and insert things into her vagina even as… — Trent Horn (@Trent_Horn) March 25, 2026

VATICAN CITY (LifeSiteNews) — Pope Leo XIV today made the new appointments of Archbishops Edgar Peña Parra, Paolo Rudelli, and Petar Rajič official after details of all three having previously been reported through leaks. On March 30, Leo enacted a series of senior appointments, naming Rajič as the new Prefect of the Pontifical Household, transferring Peña Parra to serve as Apostolic Nuncio to Italy and the Republic of San Marino, and appointing Rudelli as new Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State. Leaked reports had anticipated this round of appointments, including at LifeSiteNews. On February 26, Italian journalist Nico Spuntoni documented the imminent transfer of the Substitute for the Secretariat of State, the Venezuelan Peña Parra, announcing that a formal request had been submitted to the Italian government to receive him as the new nuncio in Rome. READ: Moving Abp. Peña Parra to Italian nunciature may weaken reform of Vatican Secretariat: Here’s why Later, on March 5, Rajič’s name began circulating unofficially as the new Prefect of the Papal Household. His new appointment would have left the post of nuncio to Italy vacant, a position that would then be filled by Peña Parra. Finally, on March 20, Spuntoni again reported that Rudelli, already papal nuncio in Colombia, would have replaced Peña Parra as the new Substitute for the Secretariat of State. All three predictions were therefore confirmed today. Some Vatican observers have interpreted these appointments as an initial, cautious effort to reform the Secretariat of State; however, the available data do not in themselves demonstrate a structural reform. The pattern of transfers may also be read as a functional reorganization, particularly concerning the Pontifical Household. The role of prefect was left vacant since the time of the masked exile imposed by Francis on Archbishop Georg Gänswein, in 2024. In other words, there has been a reallocation of figures already integrated into the framework established under Francis. Rudelli’s formation and career trajectory place him within the same diplomatic orientation associated with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the current Secretary of State of the Holy See, including a generally favorable stance toward secret agreements with China. This continuity suggests that his appointment does not necessarily indicate a shift in diplomatic orientation. Nonetheless, Rajić’s appointment reflects Pope Leo’s decision to rely on an experienced diplomat – and therefore a reliable figure in matters of protocol and institutional relations – for an office as delicate and sensitive as the Prefecture of the Papal Household. In fact, Rajić’s appointment appears to be the driving factor behind the reassignment of the other two positions. The Bosnian archbishop had, moreover, arrived in Rome on March 11, 2024, about three months before Gänswein was transferred to the Baltic states to replace him at the nunicature, on June 24, 2024, making more evident that this is a reallocation of figures who were already well established. READ: Israeli police block Cdl. Pizzaballa from Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday The figure who drew the most attention, however, was Peña Parra, the Venezuelan archbishop whom Francis appointed Substitute of the Secretariat of State on August 15, 2018. According to sources, Peña Parra is said to have rejected two transfer proposals from the Pope in recent months, accepting the third in order to remain in Rome. By staying in Rome, he would still retain a certain degree of influence and control over curial dynamics, especially considering that the role of nuncio to Italy is almost purely formal. Moreover, the nunciature in Italy has traditionally been regarded as an assignment that almost naturally leads to the cardinalate. Last month, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò publicly criticized the possible appointment of Peña Parra as the new nuncio in Rome, recalling past accusations involving abuse and even cases of homicide – allegations he reported, unsuccessfully, in 2002 and again in 2018. Viganò had also urged the Italian government to deny the agreement, an appeal that evidently went unanswered.