Washington, D.C. Beat

A move to hold talks between Ukraine and Russia at the Vatican appeared to gain momentum May 19, following a call between the U.S. and Russian presidents.

“The church believes in the life-giving presence of Christ, the physician of souls and bodies, and wishes the former president a rapid return to health,” the Wilmington Diocese said.

Catholic Relief Services hosted a May 17 national online meeting with some 375 participants to mobilize congressional lobbying against additional long-term cuts.

“It is heartening to see His Holiness speak forcefully on religious freedom so early on in his pontificate,” USCIRF said in a statement.

(OSV News) — Three U.S. Catholic bishops and a parish priest were among religious leaders President Donald Trump appointed to an advisory board of his recently established Religious Liberty Commission. Archbishop …

The confirmation of Brian Burch, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, will likely be considered within a few weeks.

In January, Trump signed an executive order seeking to end the practice of birthright citizenship for children born to immigrants without documentation.

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy said Pope Leo has demonstrated “his heart for the marginalized,” including in his social media presence.

A proposed House budget is drawing fire from some critics over its cuts to Medicaid, while drawing praise from others for promises to defund abortion providers.

The administration’s fast-tracking of the Afrikaner applications comes amid its own indefinite suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.