The Vatican has released a schedule of liturgical events for Holy Week and Easter, without naming the prelates who will act as celebrants.

Still unsure whether Pope Francis will have recovered sufficiently to take part in public events, the Vatican listed the Palm Sunday Mass, the Chrism Mass, Good Friday devotions, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday Mass—including the urbi et orbi blessing—but did not name celebrants.

In an address to a UN meeting on middle-income countries, the Vatican’s representative has suggested that these countries should receive interest-free loans, to help them escape their debt burdens.

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia said: “Many middle-income countries already face high debt burdens, and financing that generates further debt risks deepening their financial distress.” He said that the countries need foreign investment to stimulate their economic growth, but cannot afford to increase their current debt burdens.

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Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster has issued a pastoral letter encouraging Catholics in the United Kingdom to contact their representatives in Parliament, urging opposition to a bill that would make assisted-suicide legal.

In the letter—which will be read as all parishes in the diocese this weekend—the cardinal makes a special point of saying that Parliament has moved hastily toward approval of a bill “which has not been properly scrutinized and which will bring about damaging consequences.”

“It is sad reflection on Parliament’s priorities that the House of Commons spent far more time debating the ban on fox hunting than it is spending debating bringing in assisted suicide,” the cardinal writes.

The first reading from Isaiah represents one of the most striking passages of the Bible that affirms the love of God for his people. It was a message of consolation addressed to the Jewish captives in Babylon promising them the joys of Messianic times. We are also captives and exiles because of our sins and human failings. Our deliverance is also near. The Messiah will come to us at Easter to give us all the blessings promised by God in this reading. --St. Andrew Bible Missal

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Before Dolly Parton agreed to the duet with Sabrina Carpenter, she had a few conditions, most of which involved respecting the Lord.

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