Florida

In focus: Pope headed to Mongolia, water rule challenged, immigration bill raises religious liberty concerns

In focus: Colorado nightclub shooting, Georgia abortion ban, changes in German church’s work policies

In the spotlight: World Day of the Poor, homelessness sculpture, visit with Pope Benedict XVI

In focus: World Food Day, letter to young people, Parkland school shooting sentence, legalizing marijuana use in Missouri

The physical impact of Hurricane Michael and the anticipated recovery period for parts of the Florida Panhandle appear to be on a scale of last year’s Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, according to the church’s top emergency management specialist in Florida.

A weakened Hurricane Irma churned in Florida after ripping through southern portions of the state and the Caribbean islands, flooding cities, knocking out power to millions, destroying homes and businesses and killing more than 20 people.

One of the tour guests was Denisha Merriweather, who attended a private high school through Florida’s voucher program, which she credits with turning her life around.

Like the rest of South Florida, the Archdiocese of Miami was carefully watching the path of Hurricane Matthew, a Category 4 storm that began pounding Haiti and Cuba Oct. 4 and was expected to hit Florida’s Atlantic coastal area late Oct. 6.