"No institution in the United States has done more in recent years than the Catholic Church to take proactive steps to protect children from the evil of sexual abuse," wrote Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington in a Nov. 2 letter emailed to Catholics in his archdiocese.

"The probability is very high that he comes to Juarez," said Father Hesiquio Trevizo, spokesman for the Diocese of Ciudad Juarez.

“If we look at press, we see unreasonable attacks with little meaning, that are ill-conceived and very emotional, if not hysterical.”

In early November, the U.N. Security Council discussed Burundi's worsening violence, sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza's acceptance of a third term in apparent violation of the constitution.

The church must become "a proactive agent for racial justice" if it is to "remain viable and relevant in the 21st century."

The pilgrimage is among dozens of actions Catholics are taking in preparation for the upcoming 21st Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Many Catholic environmental advocates are hopeful that the Paris summit will result in a long-term pact to reduce carbon emissions with the goal of slowing climate change.