After months of speculation that the document could offer guidance to empower individual bishops to deny Communion to pro-choice politicians, the document only obliquely references Catholics in public life.

They were intent on responding with mercy to a crisis that at the time showed no signs of slowing.

A draft document about the Eucharist being prepared by a group of U.S. bishops makes only oblique references to Catholic politicians who disagree with church teaching.

Following a lengthy meeting with Pope Francis, President Joe Biden said on Friday that the pope told him he is a “good Catholic” and encouraged him to continue receiving Communion.

Images from tomorrow’s Vatican meeting will be scrutinized by Catholics eager to understand any impact the encounter might have on U.S. bishops’ meeting beginning on Nov. 15.

Biden’s Vatican meeting comes just a couple of weeks before U.S. bishops are expected to vote on a controversial document that could take aim at pro-choice Catholic politicians.

Catholic ministries face an uncertain financial future as religiosity decreases among younger Americans—including, perhaps, descendants of prominent Catholic philanthropic leaders.

“Catholics who attend Mass weekly are both more likely to be aware of the new restrictions and more inclined to oppose them than Catholics who attend less frequently,” according to a new Pew survey.

“The Eucharist should not in any way become a weapon,” Cardinal Peter Turkson said in response to a question about a document U.S. bishops are drafting about Communion.

Matt Malone, S.J., the president and editor in chief of America Media, announced on Monday that he will step down from his roles in the fall of 2022, after leading the Jesuit publication for 10 years.