Today's Mass is featuring women and racial minorities, highlighting the Catholic Church's broad appeal.

The pope just presided over the responsorial psalm, Psalm 104, which calls on God to "renew the face of the earth." It was read by a black woman.

A black woman also just read from Romans 8:22-27, which discusses the "groanings" of humanity.

A Hispanic priest from Maryland just read about the resurrection in a passage from John 20:19-23 and brought the Bible to the pope to kiss.

Mezzo soprano Denyce Graves sang the initial call to worship.

— Carrie Sheffield, Web editor, The Washington Times