Carol Glatz

No matter how much suffering Christians face in the world, God never forgets those who trust in and serve him, Pope Francis told leaders of Eastern Catholic churches.

Christians are never pessimistic, resigned or weak, thinking life is an unstoppable train careening out of control, Pope Francis said.

The top leaders of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference and chair of the church's Truth, Justice and Healing Council met with Vatican officials to discuss issues emerging from national investigations into the abuse of minors.

The Legionaries of Christ pledged its ongoing commitment to renewal and reform as it released information about a former rector who has publicly acknowledged being the father of two children.

Child abuse is not only a crime, it is sacrilege, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said at a world congress promoting the protection of children online.

Obedient to his father, Jesus was patient with his sinning, fearful disciples throughout his lonely journey toward the cross, Pope Francis said.

The worst sin of all is not trusting in God's infinite love and not believing that God is always waiting for his sinning children to return to him, Pope Francis said.

Young people should love, believe and follow their dreams, never despairing because Jesus is always with them, Pope Francis said.

"Compassion is an emotion that engages, it is a feeling from the heart, from the gut," affecting one's entire being, the pope said Sept. 19 during morning Mass.

To better prepare priests and pastoral workers to help meet the challenges they face today, Pope Francis is strengthening the Pontifical John Paul II Institute and changing its name.

Pope Francis praised the first ever "multireligious" half-marathon in Rome, which was sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Culture, after thousands of runners participated.

The Italian cardinal who oversaw the Vatican-led reform and reorganization of the Legionaries of Christ died in Rome just several days before his 82nd birthday.

Pope Francis praised the increasingly friendly and fruitful relations between the Catholic Church and Jewish leaders as he wished the world's Jewish communities a happy Rosh Hashanah a few weeks early.

To mark the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation Sept. 1, the pope said he and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople "prepared a message together."

God wants people to live with hope and joy — not bitterness — and to dream with him of a better world, Pope Francis said Aug. 30 during his weekly general audience.