Wednesday night, two young Israeli Embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were shot and killed as they were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. Sarah was 26. Yaron was 30. The alleged gunman, who is from Chicago, is in custody. Antisemitism appears to have been a factor in their murder. What a senseless, inconceivable tragedy for these two young people who were about to be engaged, just starting the next chapter of their lives. Please join me in praying for them, their families and loved ones. May their memories be for a blessing.

You may recall that I mentioned on the occasion of the ordination of our new auxiliaries that someone early on in the papacy of Francis asked me what makes him tick. I said, as I believe even more now, the answer is simple. Francis not only believed but had a palpable experience of the Risen Lord; not only did he believe Jesus rose from the dead 2000 years ago, but he was deeply in touch with the reality that the Risen Lord is acting now and leading the Church. And so he saw that his task as the Successor of Peter was to be attuned to the Lord and manifest his presence in the world today.

Today, we received the joyful news that Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop-designate Michael G. McGovern the Metropolitan Archbishop of Omaha.

Welcome, Bishop Venedykt, and all of you joining us this evening, especially those of Ukrainian heritage: Shchyro vitayemo vas vsikh.

We have received word that the Pope’s condition worsened this morning.

The Archdiocese of Chicago distributed the following letters today to the communities of Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish and St. Francis Borgia Parish regarding Monsignor Daniel Mayall.

Pope Francis has again chosen one of our auxiliary bishops, Bishop Robert Casey, to head an American archdiocese.

The Archdiocese of Chicago distributed the attached letters today to the communities of Our Lady at St. Germaine, St. Gerald, St. Cajetan, St. John Fisher, St. John Neumann, St. Gianna and St. Barnabas regarding Father Martin Marren.

The American people have spoken. Let us remember that our strength in America lies in our unity. We commend all who had the courage to compete in the electoral process and participate in our democracy. We pray that the Lord will enlighten and sustain those elected in their service to all the people of our country. We also pray for those who held opposing positions, that they continue to participate in our democracy.

When Pope Francis published the encyclical letter Laudato si’ he both sounded the alarm about our warming planet and made clear the moral imperative to act in its defense.