Diocese, school in standoff over BLM, Pride flags (MassLive) The vivid rainbow hues of the Pride flag and bold monochromatic tones of the Black Lives Matter banner waved defiantly over the Nativity School of Worcester campus on Sunday, as they have for more than a year now, even as the flags — and the messages behind them — have placed the Catholic school in the crosshairs of the local diocese. Bishop Robert J. McManus has demanded the school remove the flags, the Boston Globe first reported, which he says are symbols that “stand in contrast to consistent Catholic teaching.” The 70-year-old Catholic bishop also appeared to question the school’s religious status in a recent statement…

Pope gives new role to Cardinal Turkson (CNA) Pope Francis on Monday appointed Cardinal Peter Turkson as the new chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. The Ghanaian cardinal succeeds the 79-year-old Argentine Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, who has led both institutions since 1998…

Pope meets migrants in Malta (CNS) Saying civilization itself risks foundering because of apathy and selfishness, Pope Francis insisted that migrants and refugees must be treated with care and kindness and recognized as brothers and sisters. In the shipwrecks that lead to thousands of migrants drowning in the Mediterranean each year, “we see another kind of shipwreck taking place: the shipwreck of civilization, which threatens not only migrants but us all,” the pope said April 3 at a meeting with about 200 migrants at the John XXIII Peace Lab in Hal Far…

Will the pope go to Ukraine? (Crux) While reiterating that a possible trip to Ukraine was “on the table,” the pope said it remained uncertain. “I say with all sincerity I would like to go. The willingness is always there, there isn’t a ‘no,’” he said. “If it can be done, I must do it. This is all up in the air…”

Passion Play returns to Oberammergau (CNS) Oberammergau is ready to stage another Passion Play, at a time when the world is waiting to mark the end of another pandemic. The Passion Play was originally planned to be performed in 2020, but COVID-19 caused cancellation. With foresight, the organizers decided to delay the play for two years. This year, from May 14 to Oct. 2, the play will be performed five days a week…