Trump's memorandum directed the U.S. secretary of state "to implement a plan to extend the Mexico City Policy to 'global health assistance furnished by all departments or agencies.'"

The bill allows organizations and individuals "with sincerely held religious beliefs to remove themselves from actions in direct violation of their faith."

The Catholic bishops said the Texas law "does not help peace officers build trust with the migrant community."

Macron won the second-round presidential ballot with 66.1 percent of votes against 33.9 percent taken by Marine Le Pen.

A priest who does not willingly embrace Christ's cross and who does not try to lighten the burdens of his people is not worthy of the name, Pope Francis said.

The Congolese bishops voiced their concern over rising tension in Congo after President Joseph Kabila unilaterally nominated Bruno Tshibala as prime minister over the objection of opposition parties.

"Filing a complaint at the ICC is a good move for the whole world to know that crimes against humanity, seemingly sanctioned by the government, are being committed in this Christian country," said Bishop Bastes.

Father Ignatius Rai, pastor of the cathedral parish, said "unknown persons" broke into the church premises and started a fire that partially damaged the priest's residence and the western part of the church.

The U.S. Catholic Church welcomed thousands of new Catholics at the Easter Vigil on April 15 in churches big and small across the country.

Catholic bishops whose dioceses cover portions of Maryland said their state "is not immune from this tragic reality."