The ruckus over the pope’s comments once again put the Vatican’s diplomatic corps in the position of having to smooth over Francis’ informal, off-the-cuff way of speaking.

In the highest-ever “no” vote in Irish referendum history, Irish voters rejected amendments that would widen the definition of marriage and remove a clause that reinforced women’s role in the home.

Pope Francis wrote that “it is beautiful” when a penitent, reciting the Act of Contrition, recognizes that God is “all good and deserving of all my love.”

The pope suffered from the flu for almost two weeks and hardly spoke in public. During a visit to a parish on Friday, he appeared recovered and preached for an unusually long time.

Leading up to International Women’s Day, Catholic women convened near the Vatican and online, advocating for female leadership within the Catholic Church, pushing for equality, visibility and institutional openness to change.

Pope Francis is continuing his work program despite the flu. On Thursday morning, he held seven audiences for individuals and groups.