VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper with prisoners in Velletri, about 36 miles south of Rome.

WASHINGTON – The release of three American prisoners from North Korea was hailed as an important first step in addressing abuses within the nation, as U.S. leaders call for a continued expansion of religious freedom initiatives in U.S. foreign policy.

Bologna, Italy – They were supposed to be having lunch with Pope Francis.

LA PAZ, Bolivia – Bolivian President Evo Morales asked Pope Francis to intervene in a case of nine Bolivians imprisoned in neighbouring Chile. Morales, who hosted Pope Francis on a two-day visit to Bolivia in 2015, asked for a papal envoy to be sent to calm what he claims to be rising tensions and a miscarriage of justice.

MONTREAL – Sr. Phyllis Douillard admits she had reservations when she retired from teaching to work with prisoners.

Sipping my morning espresso, I often envision Donnie making coffee.

WASHINGTON – Faith leaders and immigrant advocates urged President Barack Obama to pardon immigrants in the country without legal documentation and people with nonviolent, federal drug offences serving prison sentences.

Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Sunday for the Jubilee for Prisoners in Saint Peter’s Basilica, during which he reminded prison detainees to never lose hope, or fall into the temptation that they can never be forgiven.

VATICAN CITY - Fifty inmates from a Rome jail were given a private tour of the Vatican Museums on Sunday (Sept. 13), setting the tone for Pope Francis’ visit to a U.S. prison later this month and emphasizing his concern for people on the margins.

VATICAN CITY - The often silent plight of sexually abused children, victims of domestic violence, prisoners, the abandoned elderly, the unemployed and immigrants facing hostility will be given a powerful voice during the Stations of the Cross at Rome's Colosseum.