While Pope Francis recovers in hospital, he is still managing to keep in touch with a parish in Gaza with daily phone calls to the priest and congregation there.

O'Connell spent more than 15 years at St. Frances X. Cabrini in South LA, where a garden in his honor was dedicated Feb. 9, 2025.

I could dance for joy,” said Bishop Loverde. “This group is marvelous. They’re warriors for prayer and for the culture of ...