RNS Morning Report: In Malta, Pope Francis condemns ‘infantile’ aggression of Ukraine

Quote of the Day “People sometimes don’t want to recognize this great loss of human liberty … They take away your church. They take away your home, your business, everything that you have.” – Nancy Kyoko Oda, president of the Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition Top Stories In Malta, Pope Francis condemns ‘infantile’ aggression of Ukraine VALLETTA, Malta (RNS) — 'Once again, some autocrat, sadly caught up in anachronistic claims of nationalist interests, is provoking and fomenting conflicts,' said Pope Francis in an address to the government in Malta.   Pope Francis discusses health but again declines to name Putin as Ukraine aggressor (RNS) — The pontiff again declined to name Russian President Vladimir Putin as the aggressor in the Ukraine war on his flight back to Rome.   ‘I have not forgotten you,’ Pope Francis tells migrants in Malta RNS — The pontiff told migrants in Malta that he hopes they will one day become 'witnesses and agents of welcome and fraternity.'   Pope Francis backs Catholic and lay anti-corruption efforts in Malta VALLETTA, Malta (RNS) — The pope began his weekend visit with a message of welcome to migrants and a plea to end the war in Ukraine and to overcome divisions in a spirit of dialogue and inclusion.   As Afghan refugees celebrate Islam’s holy month, church gives Ramadan lessons (RNS) — Somewhere between 75 and 100 UCC churches are actively sponsoring Afghan families — about 800 individuals — who have recently arrived in the US.   Activists seek to preserve ‘sacred’ land Japanese immigrants acquired before CA’s anti-immigrant land laws (RNS) — 'When you remove these things from the landscape that tell other views, other chapters of American history, people lose that connection, and they don’t often consider them part of American history.'   Religious diversity: Corporate obstacle? Or asset? (RNS) — Some US companies are embracing religious diversity as good for people and for business.   Ukrainian communities in US prepare to support refugees SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — 'No refugee is waiting for you to be ready for them,' said Eduard Kislyanka, senior pastor at the House of Bread church.   In Malta, Pope Francis models mercy for migrants while condemning corruption (RNS) — Drawing from the islands’ deep Catholic roots, Francis is expected to encourage a rebirth of the local church, experts say.   Pope begs forgiveness of Indigenous for Canada school abuses VATICAN CITY (AP) — 'For the deplorable conduct of those members of the Catholic Church, I ask forgiveness of the Lord,' Francis said. RNS Opinion For Mormons, it’s General Conference time. Remind me why we do this? General Conference is touted as being prophetic and revelatory—must-see TV for Latter-day Saints the world over. So why does the format feel so stale?   Moving lightly through this world: Reflections on the weight of white Christian innocence (RNS) — The persistent denial of our own culpability threatens to drown us all.   Young Black Catholics are still here and flourishing more than their peers (RNS) — A new study found Gen Z Black Catholics are more traditionally religious than their Catholic peers of other racial groups.   Why Ramadan is called Ramadan: 6 questions answered Ramadan, the month of fasting and spiritual growth that began this week, is one of the five 'pillars of Islam,' writes Mohammad Hassan Khalil.   Transgender women are finding some respect in India, but a traditional gender-nonconforming group – hijras – remains stigmatized (The Conversation) — A sociologist explains that the ability to claim transgender identities in India may appear progressive, but this can further marginalize historically stigmatized gender-nonconforming groups. ICYMI Deborah Lipstadt confirmed as antisemitism monitor in late-night Senate vote (RNS) — U.S. Jews who had advocated for Lipstadt and pressed for her confirmation over many months breathed a sigh of relief.   Author Lee Strobel, after brush with death, explores ‘Case for Heaven’ in film (RNS) — ‘The topic of what does indeed happen after we leave this world is more relevant to a lot of people today than it was a couple of years ago,’ Strobel said. In Other News Defining ‘woman’ starts with humanity, not femaleness Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. Religion News Service is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend