Pope Francis and Our Lady of Fatima

Tomorrow is the solemnity of the Annunciation, March 25. As the Catholic Church commemorates Mary's assent to conceive and give birth to Jesus, Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to her Immaculate Heart. He has asked all the world's Catholic bishops to join him and to invite "the priests, religious, and faithful" to do likewise. He will lead the consecration, a prayer of a thousand words, at Saint Peter's Basilica at approximately 6:30 p.m. (Rome time), after a celebration of penance, the sacrament of confession and forgiveness of sins.