Pope Francis

In the spotlight: Pope visits relatives, Vatican Christmas tree, soccer for peace

In focus: Pope helps to facilitate prisoner exchanges, Kenyan drought at ‘crisis level,’ nonprofit wins $1 million humanitarian award

In the spotlight: Solar eclipse, prayers for peace, Our Lord of the Miracles

In the spotlight: Pope Francis addresses euthanasia, funeral for minor league pitcher, Peruvian mummies

In focus: Kidnapped clergy, euthanasia threat in France, “ecological disaster” in Ghana, pope to visit cousin

“There is no way to be certain of the outcome of a process like a worldwide synod. Participants must be willing to be surprised, disappointed or even chastened by some of the feedback that comes out of local and regional deliberations.”

Saying he did not want to rush the process of discerning how the Holy Spirit is calling the church to grow in “synodality,” Pope Francis announced that the next assembly of the Synod of Bishops would take place in two sessions.

In the spotlight: National Youth Advisory Council, eucharistic procession, Vatican II anniversary, Brazilian procession