A lay minister uses the following greeting: May the God whom we glorify ... prepares those present for the blessing. When Christ took flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary, he made his home ...

Then the leader invites: Let us now pray for God's blessing upon all who gather around this tree. After a short silence, the leader prays: Lord our God, we praise you for the light of creation ...

A Central Iowa family says they are grateful for the opportunity to have met Pope Francis in person during a 2020 pilgrimage to Rome.

NORTH CAROLINA, USA — North Carolina politicians and faith leaders are mourning and reacting to the death of Pope Francis . Francis, who led the Catholic Church for about 12 years, died Monday morning ...