Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, announced that the Holy See “will not participate in the Board of Peace," promoted by the U.S. president to address Gaza and other conflicts.

To mark Temperance Sunday and the Lenten season, Armagh Archdiocese Auxiliary Bishop Michael Router welcomed the rewording of Ireland’s traditional Confirmation Pledge.

The brief Ash Wednesday walk between two hilltop basilicas marks the start of Lent in Rome.