Pope Francis "will affirm that there is a certain solidarity among Christians" and that "we are all related together by Jesus."

Bill O'Reilly, a Catholic, who last year challenged the pope’s views on immigration and promised to convince him of the need for reform, shook hands briefly with the leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics at the Vatican.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops filed an amicus brief supporting the preschool.

Pope Francis will declare the sainthood of Blessed Jacinta Marto and Blessed Francisco Marto, two of the shepherd children who saw Mary in Fatima, Portugal, during his visit to the site of the apparitions May 13.

At least five deaths have been blamed on the strong-armed response to protests that were triggered by the government-stacked Supreme Court's decision three weeks ago to strip the opposition-controlled congress of its last remaining powers after a year-long power battle.

Guerrero, who has four children and four grandchildren, "puts a face" to what is often treated as "statistics or demons," Cardinal Tobin said before last month's hearing.