The two leaders also spoke by telephone Dec. 19 during which the 82-year-old president thanked the pope “for his continued advocacy to alleviate global suffering.”

Pope Francis has called on all nations to eliminate the death penalty, to divert a fixed percentage of arms spending to a global fund to fight hunger and climate change, and to cancel the international debt of developing nations.

Pope Francis received a new, emission-free, all-electric popemobile from representatives of Mercedes-Benz, the German car manufacturer that has been supplying vehicles for the popes for nearly 100 years.

At a general audience, Pope Francis said that homilies should run under 10 minutes and be guided by the Holy Spirit.

A local Italian group launched an online petition urging Pope Francis, the Vatican and others to stop the “fir tree-icide” of cutting down a 200-year-old red pine to decorate St. Peter’s Square for Christmas.

Pope Francis said that Christian faith must disturb the powers that be.

The Vatican has announced the appointment of Capuchin Father Roberto Pasolini as the new papal preacher, succeeding Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa who served since 1980.

Even if some members of the Synod of Bishops end up feeling disappointed by the results of the synod, “God’s providence is at work in this assembly,” Cardinal-designate Timothy Radcliffe said.

The Vatican agency, Fides, has published a brief overview on the global number of Catholics, permanent deacons, seminarians, and more.

Cardinal Steiner said they would like to call these women “deaconesses,” but they do not want to “confuse them with the ordained ministry,” and so, for now, they have not found a title that is “suitable.”