Carol Glatz

People's attitudes toward nature as well as their economic systems and consumption habits need to radically change in order to protect biodiversity on the planet and promote a more sustainable and caring world, said participants at a Vatican-sponsored conference.

Christians recognize life's great paradox that so much evil and temptation exist in the world, but that God is always present, too, ready to help and give people the strength to persevere, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of four men and four women, including Blessed Dulce Lopes Pontes, the "Mother Teresa" of Brazil.

Visiting the small Catholic communities in Bulgaria and North Macedonia offered an opportunity to encourage the faithful to remember God's miracle of being able to feed a multitude with just a few loaves and fishes, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis has invited bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church to the Vatican in July to find ways the church can best serve their people, peace and the Gospel.

Migrants are not a threat to a nation's culture, traditions and values, Pope Francis said. Every nation is a product of immigration and the integration of diverse peoples.

God never tricks, traps or tempts his children to sin or commit evil, Pope Francis said.

The Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, named a new director and editorial board for its women's magazine, "Women-Church-World."

The scales of justice cannot solve everything, especially when it comes to stopping a cycle of evil vengeance, Pope Francis said.

The proposed apostolic constitution for reforming and governing the Roman Curia is expected to emphasize the church's missionary mandate with the creation of a "super-dicastery" merging two offices dedicated to evangelization.

Just as Jesus always sought to be with the people to serve, teach and heal them, so, too, must priests always be in the midst of God's people, "pouring ourselves out" for them, Pope Francis said.

A draft of the proposed apostolic constitution for reforming and governing the Roman Curia will soon be sent out to leaders of the world's bishops' conferences, religious orders and some pontifical universities.

Everyone is "in debt" to God, who offers his infinite love and graces for free, Pope Francis said.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley told members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors how much Pope Francis appreciated their efforts, particularly their proposal for a summit of leaders of the world's bishops' conferences.

Everyone has a direct line to Jesus, who is always nearby, ready to listen and help, Pope Francis said.

The Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has rejected an appeal by the now-former Archbishop Anthony Apuron of Agaña, Guam, upholding its judgment of finding him guilty of abuse against minors.

Pope Francis will celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper with prisoners in Velletri, about 36 miles south of Rome.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir, his vice presidents and other leaders planned to attend a "spiritual retreat" together at the Vatican in early April.

Pope Francis has made it more than obvious that he does not like people kissing his ring.

The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis will visit the eastern African nation of Mozambique and the island nations of Madagascar and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean Sept. 4-10.