"You Russians have in your blood, in your humanistic and religious tradition" an understanding of love, Francis said to Russian cosmonauts.

"If ever there was a time to collectively support the largest remaining Christian population in the Middle East, it is now."

The sisters already have spent hours in voter education for the repeat election.

"The tax system should be continually evaluated in terms of its impact on the poor."

The institute will be not only as a place for women to gain leadership skills, but a place all people who care about gender equity can turn for assistance

Francis is known for his out-of-the-blue calls. But this one has been in the Earth-to-space pipeline for a while.