Pope Francis

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Video at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-at-audience-grace-sustained-fortitude-helps-us-daily.html
Pope at Audience: Grace-sustained fortitude helps us daily
10 April 2024, 09:31

During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis continues his catechetical series on virtues and vices, focusing on the cardinal virtue of fortitude, saying that sustained by grace, it can fuel our efforts daily and bring us closer to God.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

May Jesus and the saints' examples, inspire us to rediscover fortitude, which will, with God's grace, help us in our daily efforts...

Pope Francis gave this encouragement during his weekly General Audience on Wednesday in St. Peter's Square.

This week, the Pope continued his catechetical series on vices and virtues. After months dedicated to the vices, he transitioned to discussing virtues, thus far focusing on prudence, patience, justice, and now, fortitude.

The Catechism describes the cardinal virtue of fortitude as “the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-invites-prayers-for-those-suffering-flooding-in-kazakhstan.html
Pope asks for prayers for those affected by flooding in Kazakhstan
10 April 2024, 10:58

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2024.index.html
Audiences 2024
General Audience of 10 April 2024 - Cycle of Catechesis. Vices and Virtues. 14. Fortitude

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https://www.osvnews.com/2024/04/10/national-eucharistic-congress-plenary-indulgence/

Pope Francis Grants Plenary Indulgences For National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, Congress Participants
By Maria Wiering Published 5 hours ago

(OSV News) — Participants in the National Eucharistic Congress and related National Eucharistic Pilgrimage now have opportunities to receive plenary indulgences, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, announced April 9.

“It is with gratitude to the Holy Father that we receive his Apostolic Blessing upon the participants in the National Eucharistic Congress, and for the opportunity for Catholics in our country to obtain a plenary indulgence by participating in the events of the Eucharistic Revival,” he said in a USCCB statement.

According to the statement, Archbishop Broglio, who also leads the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, had requested that a plenary indulgence be available to Catholics who participate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and that “he or another prelate be designated to impart the Apostolic Blessing with a Plenary Indulgence” to the faithful joining the National Eucharistic Congress.

The requests were granted in two separate decrees by the Apostolic Penitentiary, an office with the church’s central administrative body known as the Roman Curia, which grants the use of indulgences “as expressions of divine mercy,” the statement said. Both decrees were approved by Pope Francis.
 

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Video at the link...

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257331/photos-rare-images-of-padre-pio-released-to-mark-anniversary-of-st-pio-foundation
Foundation releases never-before-seen images of Padre Pio
By Zoe Romanowsky
CNA Staff, Apr 10, 2024 / 06:00 am

To mark its 10th anniversary, the Saint Pio Foundation in the United States is releasing 10 never-before-seen photographs of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, on April 29.

The candid images show the Italian priest celebrating Mass and deep in prayer but also in lighter moments of laughter, rarely captured of the friar. The foundation’s director, Luciano Lamonarca, discovered the photos when visiting photographer Elia Saleto’s studio.

EWTN News Vatican correspondent Colm Flynn sat down with Lamonarca in a recent interview for “EWTN News Nightly” to discuss the images. One of the most surprising photos was of Padre Pio smiling.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-francis-address-academy-social-sciences-disabilies.html

Pope Francis advocates for inclusion and dignity for people with disabilities
11 April 2024, 10:41

Pope Francis addresses the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, and emphasises the need for inclusive societies that recognise the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities, denouncing the throwaway culture and advocating for integral inclusion and solidarity.
By Francesca Merlo

On the occasion of their plenary assembly, thirty years since its foundation, members of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences discussed the theme, "Disability and the Human Condition. Changing the Social Determinants of Disabilities and Building a New Culture of Inclusion”.

"I appreciate the fact that you have chosen this as the theme", Pope Francis said on Thursday, 11 April, as he met with members of the Academy in the Vatican.

"In recent years, the international community has made significant progress in acknowledging the rights of persons with disabilities", said the Pope. He noted, however, that whilst many countries are moving forward in this direction, in others "this acknowledgment is still partial and uncertain".  Where progress has been made, he added, we have seen "how individuals can flourish and the seeds can be sown for a more just and solidary society".
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/april.index.html
Speeches 2024 April
To Participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontical Academy of Social Sciences (11 April 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-francis-pontifical-biblical-commission-plenary-audience.html

Pope Francis: ‘Bible shows Jesus’ closeness to suffering humanity’
11 April 2024, 10:50

Pope Francis meets with members of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, and encourages biblical scholars to explore Jesus’ example of compassion and inclusion when faced with the suffering of others.
By Devin Watkins

The Pontifical Biblical Commission concluded its annual plenary assembly in Rome on Thursday, which focused on the theme of illness and suffering in the Bible.

Pope Francis met with members of the Commission to commend their work to explore this “deeply existential theme” that touches the life of every human person.

“Our wounded nature,” he said, “bears within itself the realities of limitation and finitude, and suffers the contradictions of evil and pain.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/april.index.html
Speeches 2024 April
To participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Biblical Commission (11 April 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-to-papal-foundation-don-t-neglect-prayer-in-your-work.html

Pope to Papal Foundation: ‘Don’t neglect prayer in your work’
12 April 2024, 11:20

Pope Francis meets with a delegation of The Papal Foundation on the occasion of the US-based organization's annual pilgrimage to Rome, and highlights the importance of the spiritual dimension of their generous contribution to the Holy See’s charitable work.
By Lisa Zengarini

For 36 years, the US-based Papal Foundation, which was founded in 1988 in response to a wish expressed by St. John Paul II, has provided funding for Catholic charitable projects worldwide specifically identified and requested by the Pope.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-francis-papal-foundation-scholarships-poor-students.html
Pope thanks The Papal Foundation for financial assistance to students
12 April 2024, 10:35

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/april.index.html
Speeches 2024 April
To members of the "Papal Foundation" (12 April 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-francis-visit-four-asian-states-september.html

Pope Francis to visit 4 nations across Asia and Oceania in September
12 April 2024, 12:00

Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore on September 2-13, 2024.
By Devin Watkins

The Holy See Press Office announced on Friday that Pope Francis will visit three nations in Asia and one in Oceania in early September.

He accepted the invitation of the Heads of State and local Church authorities to make what will be his 43rd Apostolic Journey abroad.

The Pope is scheduled to depart Rome on September 2 and return on September 13.

He travels first to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, where he will land on September 3 and remain until September 6.

Pope Francis will then fly east to visit Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, and Vanimo on September 6-9.

His next stop will be in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, on September 9-11.

From there, the Pope will travel to Singapore for a 3-day visit on September 11-13.

According to the Holy See Press Office, the full programme of his Apostolic Journey will be published at a later date.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257359/pope-francis-to-travel-to-indonesia-singapore-east-timor-and-papua-new-guinea
Pope Francis to travel to Indonesia, Singapore, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea
By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Apr 12, 2024 / 06:45 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/indiction-of-jubilee-year-set-for-ascenscion-thursday.html

Solemn proclamation of Jubilee set for Ascension Thursday
12 April 2024, 12:47

Pope Francis is set to preside at the celebration of Holy Mass for the Solemnities of the Ascension, Pentecost, and the Most Holy Trinity, with the latter also being observed as the first World Day of Children.
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis will preside at various liturgical ceremonies in May, the Vatican has revealed, with the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff publishing a renewed calendar for the coming weeks.

On Thursday, 9 May, Pope Francis will celebrate Second Vespers for the Solemnity of the Ascension, during which the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee will be proclaimed and published. The Solemnity commemorates Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven forty days after the Resurrection.

Ten days later, on May 19, Pope Francis will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Solemnity of Pentecost, marking the Descent of the Holy Spirit.

And the following week, for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the Holy Father will once again preside at the Eucharistic Liturgy. The celebration on 26 May will also be observed as the first World Day of Children.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257360/pope-francis-reinstates-papal-title-patriarch-of-the-west-in-pontifical-yearbook

Pope Francis reinstates papal title ‘Patriarch of the West’ in Pontifical Yearbook
By Matthew Santucci
Rome Newsroom, Apr 12, 2024 / 09:50 am

In the 2024 edition of the “Annuario Pontificio,” or Pontifical Yearbook, released this week, Pope Francis reinstated the ancient, honorary pontifical title of “Patriarch of the West,” reversing Pope Benedict XVI’s 2006 decision to suspend the title.

This honorific designation has reappeared among the list of “historical titles” used to designate the theological and temporal reality of the pontifical office. Those include Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, and Metropolitan Archbishop of the Province of Rome, among others.

Following Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to drop the title in 2006, the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (then the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity) issued a statement noting that it had become “obsolete” and “no longer usable.”

The dicastery argued that the cultural and geographic understanding of the West had expanded from Western Europe to also cover North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257361/from-papal-secretary-to-nuncio-report-of-a-diplomatic-role-for-ganswein-unconfirmed

From papal secretary to nuncio? Report of a diplomatic role for Gänswein unconfirmed
By AC Wimmer
CNA Newsroom, Apr 12, 2024 / 10:25 am

Not for the first time, it has been reported that Pope Francis is considering a diplomatic role for Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the former private secretary to the late Pope Benedict XVI.

According to Argentinian newspaper La Nación, Gänswein may be appointed to nuncio, or papal ambassador, though the country for this posting has not been disclosed.

The future role of the late Benedict’s secretary has been the subject of rumor and gossip across Rome and the Church in Germany for many months.

Previous speculations — as early as March 2023 — included the claim that Gänswein would serve as papal ambassador in Costa Rica. The eloquent prelate is fluent in several languages, including German and Italian.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-francis-spain-world-heritage-cities-audience.html

Pope: Like our cities, we build future with an eye to the past
13 April 2024, 10:59

Meeting with members of the Spanish World Heritage Cities Group, Pope Francis says people build their cities and cultures by mixing faith in God with their historical situations.
By Devin Watkins

Pope Francis held an audience on Saturday with members of the Spanish World Heritage Cities Group, which was set up in 1993 to defend their cities’ historic and cultural heritage.

Welcoming the representatives of various Spanish cities to Vatican City State, the Pope said the world’s smallest state preserves a rich heritage, as does the cities of which they serve as guardians.

In his prepared remarks, he noted that humanity’s desire to protect its cultural heritage should encompass both the artistic-cultural field and the “integrity of the person who receives this legacy and of the peoples who have transmitted it to us.”

“Historical situations – with their lights and shadows,” he said, “speak to us of real men and women, of genuine feelings, which should be lessons of life for us, rather than of pieces in a museum.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/april.index.html
Speeches 2024 April
To the Mayors of the Spanish World Heritage cities (13 April 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-to-italian-scouts-we-must-defend-the-dignity-of-human-life.html

Pope to Italian scouts: ‘We must defend the dignity of all human life’
13 April 2024, 13:07

As the Italian Catholic Movement of Adult Scouts (MASCI) celebrates 70 years of foundation, Pope Francis encourages them to continue to stay true to their founding values of community, education, service, and care for human life and our common home.
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis on Saturday called upon the Italian Catholic Movement of Adult Scouts (MASCI) celebrating the 70th anniversary of its foundation to continue to be a caring community, serving the dignity of all human life and protecting our common home.

“Persevere on your path”, he said, as he met in the Vatican with some 150 board members of the movement founded in 1954.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2024/april.index.html
Speeches 2024 April
To the members of the National Council of the Italian Catholic Scout Movement for Adults (MASCI) (13 April 2024)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-offers-consolation-and-prayers-to-victims-of-sydney-attack.html

Pope Francis offers consolation and prayers to victims of Sydney attack
13 April 2024, 16:08

In a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis says he is "deeply saddened" by an attack at a Sydney, Australia, shopping centre that left six people dead. He assures the victims of his prayers and spiritual closeness.
By Vatican News

In a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, addressed to Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney, Pope Francis expressed his deep sadness in learning of the violent attack in Sydney, Australia, at a local shopping centre where six people were stabbed to death.

Assuring his "spiritual closeness to all affected by this senseless tragedy" and especially those mourning the loss of a loved one, the Pope offered his prayers for the dead, the injured, and the first responders. In the telegram, he "invokes upon the nation the divine blessings of consolation and strength."
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-04/pope-approves-decrees-new-italian-saint-two-blesseds.html

Pope Francis approves decrees for new Italian Saint and two Blesseds from Spain
13 April 2024, 12:56

Pope Francis approves the canonization of the foundress of the Oblates of the Holy Spirit and the beatfication of a priest and a layman murdered in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.
By Alessandro De Carolis

Pope Francis met on Saturday morning with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, and approved Decrees highlighting the extraordinary witness to faith show by four individuals. They include an Italian religious who strived to live out her vocation while overcoming immense challenges, two stories of great courage in the lives of two martyred Spaniards during the nation's civil war, and a consecrated woman who chose to remain behind the scenes in working to serve others and settle disputes.

Elena Guerra, soon to be declared a Saint
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-04/holy-see-press-office-france-former-nun-marc-ouellet.html

Holy See Press Office declaration on dismissal of nun in France
13 April 2024, 14:50

Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, responds to questions from journalists about the dismissal of Sabine de la Valette, formerly Sister Marie Ferréol.
By Vatican News

In response to questions from reporters, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed on Saturday that the Secretariat of State has sent a “Note Verbal” to the Embassy of France to the Holy See.

The diplomatic note regards the “alleged decision of the Tribunal of Lorient in France in a civil dispute concerning the dismissal from a religious Institute of Ms. Sabine de la Valette (formerly Sister Marie Ferréol).”

Mr. Bruni highlighted that the Holy See learned this information “only from the press.”

It was also emphasized that Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who at the time of the event was Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, “never received any summons from the Lorient Tribunal.”
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257378/vatican-secretariat-of-state-sends-letter-to-french-embassy-over-nun-s-dismissal
Vatican sends letter to French embassy over tribunal decision in nun’s dismissal case
By Daniel Payne
CNA Staff, Apr 13, 2024 / 14:41 pm

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Video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-at-regina-caeli-14-april-2024.html
Pope at Regina Coeli: How beautiful is it to share our faith
14 April 2024, 12:25

During his Sunday Regina Coeli this third Sunday of Easter, Pope Francis invites faithful to remember their personal encounters with the Lord and to consider how truly beautiful it is for us to share and transmit our faith.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

How beautiful it is to encounter the Lord, and when we have done so, we must transmit the joy of this to others...

Pope Francis gave this comforting reminder during his Regina Coeli address on this third Sunday of Easter.
In his address, the Holy Father reflected on the day's Gospel reading according to St. Luke, which takes place the evening of Passover.

The passage narrates when the Apostles are gathered in the Upper Room, and in particular, when the two disciples return from Emmaus and tell of their encounter with Jesus.

The Holy Father went on to reflect on how this moment transformed their lives, and how likewise, encountering Jesus, changes everything for all faithful.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-calls-for-every-effort-for-dialogue-and-peace-in-mideast.html
Pope calls for every effort for dialogue and peace in Mideast
14 April 2024, 12:45

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2024.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2024
Regina Caeli, 14 April 2024

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/c9-council-of-cardinals-advisors-pope-francis-april-session.html

Council of Cardinals commences April meetings in the Vatican
15 April 2024, 13:24

April 15 marks the start of the April working session of the C9 - Council of Cardinals, in the presence of Pope Francis.
By Vatican News

A statement by the Holy See Press Office said the Council of Cardinals, known as the C9, held the first of this session’s meeting in the presence of Pope Francis.

February Meetings

The last session took place from 5 to 7 February 2024 and involved the participation of three women who contributed on the topic of the role of women in the Church. They were Sister Linda Pocher, a Salesian Sister and lecturer in Christology and Mariology at the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences Auxilium in Rome; Giuliva Di Berardino, a consecrated member of the Ordo Virginum of the Diocese of Verona, a teacher, and responsible for spirituality courses and spiritual exercises; Jo Bailey Wells, a bishop of the Church of England and the Deputy Secretary General of the Anglican Communion. The February meetings of the cardinals with the Pope and the secretary of the Council also focused on the synodal processes underway in the Church and on the theme of evangelization, with contributions from Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle and Archbishop Rino Fisichella, pro-prefects of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
 

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Re: Synod on Synodality

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-04/women-in-the-church-organisation-conference-synodality-wucwo.html
"Conversations in the Spirit” for women in a synodal Church
15 April 2024, 17:24

Around 1,400 people from all over the world are expected to gather online to put synodal methodology into practice, with a focus on the participation of women in a synodal Church.
By Francesca Merlo

Around 1,400 people are due to gather online, from all over the world, on 23 April, to prepare for the second session of the Assembly of the Synod on Synodality to be held in Rome in October this year.

The event

In a press release dated 15 April, the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO) writes that the online event, “Conversations in the Spirit”, organised in collaboration with its World Women's Observatory (WWO) and the Ignatian Encounter Ministry, will be a demonstration of walking, together with the whole Church, in the synodal process initiated in 2021.

“This event, which will take place via Zoom aims to put into practice the synodal methodology and to delve deeper into the participation of women in a synodal Church in mission”, reads the statement.
 

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Update:  Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-04/new-modern-stained-glass-windows-to-be-installed-in-notre-dame.html
New modern stained-glass windows to be installed in Notre Dame
15 April 2024, 16:36

As the restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris continues at a steady pace after the devastating fire that ravaged the Gothic masterpiece on April 15, 2019, the French Government appoints a committee of experts to select projects of new modern-style stained-glass windows to replace the existing ones in six of its chapels.
By Vianney Groussin and Lisa Zengarini

It is an iconic symbol of France's religious, artistic and cultural heritage worldwide, and the image of this masterpiece of Gothic architecture engulfed in flames has remained impressed in our collective memory.

The fire broke out just before 6:20 pm of April 15,  2019, bringing down the cathedral's famous spire ("la flèche"), destroying most of the wooden roof and severely damaging the cathedral's upper wall. 

However, the bell towers – whose collapse would have almost certainly brought down the facade – were saved from the blaze by firefighters along with the Grand Organ and its stained-glass rosette windows. The bee hives on the roof also survived the fire and many works of art, ancient books and religious relics were saved in extremis, firefighters, police and city council workers, though others suffered smoke damage.  Two days after the disaster, French president Emmanuel Macron vowed to reconstruct the medieval cathedral within five years. By September 2021, donors had contributed over 840 million Euros to this huge rebuilding effort.

The Cathedral to be solemnly reopenned on 8 December 2024, after five years of work
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/257374/9-facts-about-catholics-in-the-us-according-to-pew-research

9 facts about Catholics in the U.S., according to Pew research
By Jonah McKeown
CNA Staff, Apr 15, 2024 / 06:00 am

The Pew Research Center released a new fact sheet Friday that contains nine demographic and statistical facts about the Catholic population in the United States, based on the center’s numerous surveys.

Here are Pew’s nine facts about Catholics in the United States.

1. Twenty percent of American adults identify as Catholics — a stable number for the past 10 years.

Out of 262 million adults in the U.S., about 52 million would say they’re Catholic, Pew reports. In 2007, 24% of U.S. adults said they were Catholic.

2. A third of all U.S. Catholics are Hispanic.

The Catholic population is 57% white, 33% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 2% Black, while 3% are of another race, Pew reported.