Morning Catholic must-reads: 25/03/11

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi launched the Courtyard of the Gentiles project at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris last night.

The Pakistani Prime Minister has appointed Paul Bhatti, brother of murdered Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, as a special adviser for religious minorities.

Bishops in Africa have requested observer status at the African Union.

The Archdiocese of Havana has announced the names of 11 more Cuban prisoners who will soon be released to travel to Spain.

John Allen reports on the latest rumours concerning the Vatican instruction clarifying Summorum Pontificum. Fr Tim Finigan and Fr John Zuhlsdorf respond.

Scott Wright imagines what Archbishop Oscar Romero would have said to President Barack Obama.

Kathryn Jean Lopez considers whether Jesus was a political activist.

Michael Joncas says that all liturgists should watch Of Gods and Men.

Fr Dwight Longenecker wonders whether beautiful churches inspire vocations.

L’Osservatore Romano says that Elizabeth Taylor was the “last remaining star in the firmament of old Hollywood”.

And Fr Ray Blake urges the faithful to eat swan today.