Archbishop John Joseph Kennedy works at the Vatican as Secretary of the Disciplinary Section at the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. His office is not unlike the Supreme Court for the entire Catholic Church.

The diocese, which covers the entire island, is led by Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, who is hosting a conference December 14-15 on popular religiosity around the Mediterranean basin.

"New Yorkers, like people all over the world, were stunned and saddened watching Notre Dame Cathedral in flames, even as we were inspired by the faith of the people of France that their iconic cathedral would soon be restored," Cardinal Dolan told OSV News.

“Together, we must pray to change hearts and build a culture of life as we advocate for the most vulnerable," said Bishop Daniel E. Thomas of Toledo.

The revised rites highlight "even more that the Roman Pontiff's funeral is that of a shepherd and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful man of this world."