Reports on the status of U.S.-based religious congregations of women will be sent to the Vatican by the end of the year by the apostolic visitator's study of American religious life.

Researchers acknowledged that there is uncertainty about the scale of future risk, but argued, “Uncertainty is not a reason for inaction."

“Things are worse than I thought,” said a volunteer for Caritas Japan cleaning up a community damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Bishop Blase J. Cupich says the report offers an explanation, but not an excuse for the abuse scandal that engulfed the United States.

The pope said he was following the conflict in Libya with “great concern” and was especially worried about the suffering of civilians.

The pope’s long-term aim is not simply to allow the old and new rites to coexist but to move toward a “common rite.”