Theistic evolutionists

Pope Francis denounced the mafia's "blasphemous" existence on Sept. 15 during a visit to Sicily to honour a priest murdered by the mob 25 years ago while trying to save youngsters in poor neighbourhoods from falling into their hands. 

Pope Francis on Sunday declined to comment on a letter by a former Vatican official that he had ignored sexual abuse claims against US cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was forced to resign last month.

Pope Francis send a message of support to Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos over the deadly wildfires that killed at least 87 people in east Attica and injured more than 100.

Pope Francis said on Saturday that building walls, occupying territories and religious fanaticism would never bring peace to the Middle East.

Pope Francis, who has put the plight of migrants in Europe at the heart of his concerns, said on June 21 it was time "to invest wisely to give them work and education" in their countries of origin, in particular in Africa.

Pope Francis announced on May 20 that he will hold a meeting of the Church's top council to appoint 14 new cardinals next month, including from Iraq, Pakistan, Madagascar and Japan.

Pope Francis backed down Feb. 19 and accepted the resignation of Nigerian bishop who had been rejected for years by the priests of his diocese, setting a precedent that could have repercussions elsewhere.

Pope Francis retired to spiritual seclusion outside the Vatican. 

He will take part in the so-called "Spiritual Exercises" with Cardinals and other high-ranking members of the Roman Curia - the administrative apparatus of the Holy See.

Pope Francis, in an extremely rare act of self-criticism, apologized to victims of clerical sexual abuse on Sunday, acknowledging that he had "wounded many" in comments defending a Chilean bishop who is under scrutiny./Reuters

Pope Francis urged Catholics to be hospitable to migrants, saying "there is no Christian joy when the doors are closed," DPA reported.