Cardinal Leonardo Sandri launched the annual appeal for donations to support Christians in the Holy Land. The collection will take place on Good Friday.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa met with the pope at the Vatican.
Pope Francis visited Japan in 2019 and met with those affected by the “triple catastrophe.” It was his last trip before the pandemic.
Pope Francis has officially confirmed his attendance at the final Mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, in September.