Phelps Passes on Pope

Earlier reports that Olympic medalist Michael Phelps would be meeting with Pope Benedict XVI were premature.

According to The Associated Press, Phelps is skipping the meeting in order to rest before his final individual race of the world championships.

Pope Benedict is scheduled to host about 100 swimmers Saturday at Castel Gandolfo. Phelps was among those invited, but his coach, Bob Bowman, said he’ll be resting after three races Friday and the final of the 100-meter butterfly on Saturday night.

Palestinian Christians celebrate Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Family Church in Gaza City on March 31, amid the ongoing battles Israel and the Hamas militant group.

People Explain ‘Why I Go to Mass’

‘Why go to Mass on Sundays? It is not enough to answer that it is a precept of the Church. … We Christians need to participate in Sunday Mass because only with the grace of Jesus, with his living presence in us and among us, can we put into practice his commandment, and thus be his credible witnesses.’ —Pope Francis