The conference brought together six lay people from different countries “to reflect on the post-synod apostolic exhortation that has aroused grave perplexities and widespread unease in numerous components of the Catholic world.”

Pope Francis will be in Egypt for two days beginning on April 28.

The Vatican spokesman, Greg Burke, told America that no official request for an audience had arrived at the Vatican from the U.S. president as of late Wednesday evening, April 19.

"The defense of human beings knows no barriers," says Pope Francis in a conversation with the Italian journal Libertàcivili.

Italian media report that a nerve gas was used in yesterday’s attack by the forces of the Assad regime against the rebels in this area.

The cardinal considered it “highly significant” that Francis’ letter is dated April 4—the anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.