VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Francis will lead the major shrines around the world in praying the rosary to implore Mary's intercession and protection amid the coronavirus pandemic. The pope will pray at the replica of the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens May 30, the eve of Pentecost, and will also be joined by several "men and women representing various categories of people particularly affected by the virus," the Vatican said May 26. The service will be at 5:30 p.m. in Rome (11:30 a.m. EDT).

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Marking the 25th anniversary of St. John Paul II's encyclical on Christian unity, Pope Francis said he shares "the healthy impatience" of those who think more can and should be done, but he also insisted that Christians must be grateful for the progress made.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- Representing the bishops of Minnesota, Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis met with Gov. Tim Walz May 21 and they met again May 22 following the bishops' decision to resume public Masses at one-third capacity despite the governor's executive order capping faith-based gatherings at 10 people due to the COVID-19 pandemic.