U.S.
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage seeks to be a sacred journey for U.S.
PHILADELPHIA — The 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (May 24-July 5) takes place as the U.S. celebrates its 250th anniversary — and it marks a moment for “a country still in conversion,” and “a country still on pilgrimage,” said Jason Shanks, president of the National Eucharistic Congress organization. Shanks, pilgrimage organizers and several of the perpetual pilgrims held an online March 25 press conference announcing further details of the event, the theme of which is “One Nation Under God.” The route will run from Florida to Maine, spanning more than 2,200 miles in most of the nation’s 13 original colonies. Pilgrimage organizers are inviting the faithful to participate in a spiritual bouquet of 250,000 holy hours. The spiritual bouquet will be presented in the nation’s capital as a sign of “prayers for peace in our world, for unity and peace in our country, and for God’s hand to continue to guide all of those in the United States,” Shanks said. (OSV News)
Pro-life leaders condemn extension of Title X grants to Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration signaled it would provide another year of Title X grant money to Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, the day before those funds were set to expire, prompting condemnation from leaders of pro-life groups. Title X grant funds, part of a federal program that subsidizes family planning, are provided for up to five years to eligible groups. The fourth year’s funding concludes March 31, and the fifth round of funding starts April 1. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said in a March 31 statement, “Funding Planned Parenthood means propping up a business whose main purpose is to end the lives of innocent unborn children.” In a written statement, Kush Desai, a White House spokesman, said the administration issued the final round of Title X grants “locked in place during the Biden presidency” and that “HHS will soon be releasing a new Title X funding opportunity for the next five-year funding cycle that prioritizes life and promotes the pro-family agenda.” (OSV News)
WORLD
Israel to allow Church leaders to celebrate Holy Week, Easter at holy sites
JERUSALEM — The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said an agreement with Israeli authorities will allow Holy Week and Easter liturgies at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, after Catholic leaders were initially barred on Palm Sunday. In a March 30 statement, Church officials said access is now secured for clergy, though wartime limits on public gatherings remain, with celebrations livestreamed worldwide. The dispute followed a March 29 incident in which Israeli police blocked Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Father Francesco Ielpo, drawing global backlash. Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, expressed regret, citing security concerns tied to missile threats. Israeli officials later reversed course, while Cardinal Pizzaballa described the episode as a misunderstanding, urging respect for both safety and the right to worship. (OSV News)
Pope Leo XIV introduces changes in Secretariat of State leadership
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has announced a series of key Vatican appointments, reshaping top leadership roles. Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, previously the substitute for general affairs at the Secretariat of State, has been named apostolic nuncio to Italy and San Marino. Succeeding him is Italian Archbishop Paolo Rudelli. Meanwhile, Archbishop Petar Rajic becomes prefect of the Papal Household, filling a role vacant since 2023. The pope also appointed new members to the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, including academics and Church leaders from North America, Europe and Africa. Among 11 new members of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development are four academics from the United States: Holy Cross Father Daniel Groody of the University of Notre Dame; Meghan J. Clark of St. John’s University; Dylan Corbett of the Hope Border Institute; and Léocadie Lushombo of the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. (OSV News)
