“I would like to express gratitude to the Holy Father for the recent statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,” Archbishop Sample said March 23.

The regulations from Westminster, which came into force March 31, 2020, allow elective abortions up to 12 weeks of pregnancy; abortions up to 24 weeks in cases of risk to the mother's physical or mental health; and abortion without time limit in cases of severe fetal impairment or fatal fetal abnormality.

The week-long pro-life initiative, starting on March 19, is supported by Catholic bishops in dioceses across the country.

Archbishop Stefan Hesse of Hamburg made his brief declaration live on YouTube March 18, saying: “I am of the firm conviction that taking responsibility is part of our duty to actively deal with this dark chapter in the best possible way and to move towards a better future for everyone, first and foremost for the victims themselves.”

Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe earlier this month decried the proposed law as “the worst in the nation” and a threat to the vulnerable.

Named for the late congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois, the Hyde Amendment is longstanding federal policy that prohibits the use of taxpayer funds for elective abortions. However, the policy is not permanent law and must be attached to individual appropriations bills in order to take effect.

Addressing the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, March 4, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič said that the report could prove to be “divisive” because it focused on one religious group to the exclusion of others.

The diocese is required under bankruptcy rules to have expenses such as the hiring of lawyers approved by a court. The diocese had argued that it was obligated under its bylaws to pay the bishops’ legal fees, but the judge disagreed. 

He said that by visiting Iraq, he had fulfilled a dream of his predecessor Pope John Paul II, who had hoped to mark the turn of the millennium with a journey “in the footsteps of Abraham,” but was unable to travel to the ancient city of Ur.

Chauvin is being charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter for the death of George Floyd. Floyd, a Black man, died on May 25 in Minneapolis after he was restrained by Chauvin during an attempted arrest. Video footage of the arrest taken by bystanders revealed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, as Floyd audibly moaned and said he couldn’t breathe. Floyd appeared to be unconscious by the end of the video, which went viral. 

Over 51% of voters backed the measure in a March 7 vote. The ban on facial coverings in public places does not mention Islam directly but was presented as a burqa ban. It would also affect protesters who wear ski masks and bandanas. The ban exempts venues that are religious institutions, facial coverings used for health reasons and masks used for traditional Carnival celebrations.

CNA’s full transcript of Pope Francis’ in-flight press conference from Baghdad, Iraq, to Rome, Italy on March 8, 2021.