Those who believe they are upholding the faith by pointing their finger at others may have a certain ‘religiosity,’ but they have not embraced the spirit of the Gospel, Pope Francis has said, during a visit to the island of Malta last week.

The content that has been gathered over the past five months will be augmented by other processes that have considered the role of synodality in the life of the Church.

Praedicate Evangelium, meaning Preach the Gospel, has recently been promulgated by Pope Francis, Saturday 19 March. Merging some congregations and pontifical councils and raising the status of others – particularly the charitable office of the papal almoner – Pope Francis said he hoped the constitution would ensure that the offices of the Vatican fulfill their mission in helping promote the church as a community of missionary disciples, sharing the Gospel and caring for all those in need.

Praying before a statue of Mary that was loaned by the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at San Vittoriano on the outskirts of Rome, Pope Francis pleaded with Mary to “accept this act that we carry out with confidence and love. Grant that war may end, and peace spread throughout the world.”

Communication does not take place if listening has not taken place, and there is no good journalism without the ability to listen, Pope Francis has said in his message for World Communications Day.

In the text of the Holy Father’s prayer sent to chanceries around the globe so that bishops can join Pope Francis on Friday March 25, a key passage for many observers reads: “Mother of God and our mother, to your Immaculate Heart we solemnly entrust and consecrate ourselves, the church and all humanity, especially Russia and Ukraine.”

In order to help people encounter Jesus, priests “need to listen to the Spirit together with the whole people of God, so as to renew our faith and find new ways and languages to share the Gospel with our brothers and sisters,” Secretary-General of the Synod of the Bishops, Cardinal Mario Grech and Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Clergy, Archbishop Lazarus You Heung-sik have written, in a letter to priests and clergy released 19 March. By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service.

Aid to the Church in Need Head of Press Maria Lozano has last week interviewed Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas about the situation in Kiev, the humanitarian crisis, solidarity among the population and the drama of war.

Pope Francis has confirmed he will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a penitential prayer service in St Peter’s Basilica on 25 March, the Vatican said. By Catholic News Service.

True happiness and true freedom, he said, “are not found in possessing, but in sharing; not in taking advantage of others, but in loving them; not in the obsession of power, but in the joy of service,” said Pope Francis on 6 March, during his Sunday Angelus address. By Junno Arocho Esteves.