Russian politicians want to close house churches and ban anointing faithful in flats. This would hit the religious communities hard and following the Orthodox Church hierarchy, Catholic bishops are also opposing the move.

The life of the Blessed Mother, from before her birth to the flight into Egypt, is recounted with varying levels of artistic adeptness in the uneven biography “Mary” (Netflix). Though the result is not always satisfying, the production overall is both reverent and engaging.

A funeral Mass was offered Dec. 6 in Aston, Pa., for Sister Elaine Spangler, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 65 years, who died Nov. 30. The former Sister Carlos Marie was 90. 

At 53 years old, Capuchin Father Roberto Pasolini, the new preacher of the papal household, was among the youngest in the Vatican audience hall when he told Pope Francis and members of the Roman Curia: be open to change.

“Mary,” an earnest drama, will be available for streaming on Netflix Dec. 6.