Catholic bishops in Congo have abandoned attempts to arrange a government-opposition power-sharing agreement, amid rising violence.

Justices considered the cases of three church-affiliated nonprofit hospital systems being sued for underfunding pension plans.

Francis greeted an interfaith group of Iraqis in St. Peter's Square and issued a special appeal for peace in Iraq at the end of his general audience.

Reversing any effort that reduces greenhouse gas pollution endangers the planet and puts the world's most vulnerable people at risk, the advocates said.

The church hopes to produce more involvement in the church of its second largest and fastest growing community.

A number of nations—many of which already possess nuclear arms—were boycotting the negotiations to ban such weapons.