Morning Briefing

Busy weekend at the Vatican this weekend:

On Sunday -- Francis names 14 cardinals, surpassing numbers appointed by Benedict Pope Francis named fourteen new Catholic cardinals May 20, again diversifying representation in the most elite body of church prelates with selections from places as far-flung as Iraq, Pakistan and Japan and solidifying his influence on the group that will one day elect his successor.

On Saturday -- Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Oscar Romero to be made saints at Vatican ceremony Oct. 14

Of course, Friday was no slough off day at the Vatican either when All of Chile's bishops offer resignations after meeting pope on abuse. We followed that story with two more later in the day: Survivors, advocates see lessons for wider church in Chile resignations and Backgrounder: What happened before Chile's bishops resigned

Speaking of sainthood causes, check this one out scheduled for May 26: Italian sister killed in Somalia on final stop before sainthood Consolata Missionary Sr. Leonella Sgorbati was killed by gunmen in 2006 while serving in Mogadishu.

And speaking of women religious in Africa, see Presentation Sr. Joyce Meyer takes five-village forest journey to water wells in Cameroon

Back in the United States, as early as next week, Catholics in Pennsylvania could learn the names of additional priests or lay people credibly accused of child sexual abuse. More abusive priests to be named as bishops take on contrasting outlooks on abuse investigation

Former President Jimmy Carter took a gentle poke at President Donald Trump at the start of a commencement address to graduates of Liberty University in Virginia. Taking note of the large crowd at the university stadium, Carter said Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr. "told me before we came here that it's even bigger -- I hate to say this -- than it was last year. ... I don’t know if President Trump would admit that or not."

Sunday morning, people in Santa Fe, Texas, flocked to local churches, seeking comfort after this week's high school shooting that killed 10 people and injured 13 others. Santa Fe Church Community Reflects On Texas Shooting

On July 29, 1968, Pope Paul VI published his encyclical on the regulation of birth, Humanae Vitae. NCR begins 50th anniversary coverage with this essay from Michael G. Lawler and Todd A. SalzmanThe end of the affair? 'Humanae Vitae' at 50

Have you been inspired by Pope Francis' exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate ("Rejoice and Be Glad") to join the journey of 'small holiness', NCR and Celebration have the resources to help:

  • Start your day inspired with daily Scripture reflections. Join NCR's sister publication, Celebration, for Daily Bread, a series of short reflections written by four authors who meet regularly to share the readings.
  • Or reflect on Pencil Preaching by Pat Marrin. Every morning Pat Marrin breaks open the Word with a pencil sketch and a short meditation.

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