Chris Herlinger

In a Philadelphia suburb, Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great walk beside wounded veterans of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, offering food, prayer and solidarity as the war enters its fifth year.

The Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit on the island of Flores cofounded a shelter to provide women with refuge, counseling and legal support in a patriarchal society.

To Ahmad Muna, co-owner of The Educational Bookshop, Francis' near daily phone calls to a Catholic Church in Gaza in the last year of his life proved the pope was a steadfast believer in human dignity. 

The United States — the largest source of historical emissions and top user and producer of oil and gas — will stand as the only country in the world not part of the agreement.

Following two years of absence, public Christmas festivities, like holiday lights in Bethlehem and other locales, are returning. Also making an appearance, say some observers, are dribbles of visitors to the Holy Land.

For Palestinians living in the West Bank the occupation is a source of continued anger that has not stopped them from hoping and working for a better future.

The Comboni sisters in the West Bank try to create the kind of connection symbolized by Jesus' life, with a persistent belief that, as Sr. Mariolina Cattaneo said, "if you build a wall, we find a solution."

We are living in an authoritarian epoch; not only in the United States, but globally. What books and films can offer context, instruction and even hope during this trying moment?

"Our hope was to be with the Hudson River and experience it as a living being, with its own right to exist, flourish and thrive," said Charity Sr. Carol De Angelo.

When it comes to advocating for the marginalized, women religious "have the history even before some of the member states became members of the U.N.," Sr. Mary Jane Caspillo said.

In his book Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza, writer, journalist and commentator Peter Beinart argues that the destruction of Gaza might prove to be a turning point in Jewish history. 

From Homer, to the World War I poets, to the novelists of Vietnam, chroniclers of war are alert to the dangers of glorification. This Memorial Day, it's good to ask why. 

 On their wish list: an expanded role for women in the church.

Reactions in the U.S. — from monastic communities, school classrooms and city churches — not only cheered the significance of this moment but many also said it gave them hope for the church's future.

Pope Francis invited all Catholics to the table in deliberating the future of the church. Sisters involved in those synods believe there's no turning back — even with a new pope.

 Sisters at the United Nations and in global ministries hope the new pope will honor Francis' legacy by sharing his priorities and concern for the marginalized.

Catholics around the world expressed their sadness and non-Catholics sent their condolences upon hearing the news of Pope Francis' death at age 88 on Easter Monday.

Plus, cloistered Illinois sisters adopt solar energy; an Indian court denies bail for a nun facing arrest after she was accused of conversion; services held for slain Haitian sisters.

Sisters joined thousands across the U.S. in protesting President Donald Trump's administrative policies. Sisters' specific concerns included cuts to international aid programs and the erosion of democracy.

Two members of the Little Sisters of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus were among those killed earlier this week by armed gang members in the central Haiti city of Mirebalais.