Although the Catholics invented the practice of excommunication to deal with severe sins, other religious groups have also adopted it for their own purposes.

The March of the Living memorial march at Auschwitz on Holocaust Remembrance Day took place amid the backdrop of pro-Palestinian protests and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The two high-profile Catholics are among a diverse group of 19 individuals to be honored by President Biden for making “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States.”

Speaking May 3 on the need for holistic higher education, the pope said that some universities are “too liberal” and do not place enough emphasis on forming their students into whole people.

More than 200 Catholic leaders, including Cardinal Robert McElroy, the bishop of San Diego, and Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico, have called on President Biden to push for a cease-fire.

”The division and hatred that have been part of these protests and demonstrations do not come from the true God,” Father Roger L. Landry said.