The shift of power away from the hierarchy of bishops "will break the neck of the church," the cardinal said.

“I want to live my mission as long as God allows me and that’s it,” Francis said when asked about his health by Brazilian bishops.

It is not enough to issue occasional condemnations of racism. The U.S. church must invest in Black Catholic churches and schools, as well as diocesan offices for Black parishioners.

Retired Bishop Lucas Van Looy of Ghent, Belgium, asked Pope Francis to withdraw his nomination, and the pope agreed.

Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester, Mass., stripped the “Catholic” moniker from a Jesuit-run school over its decision to continue flying flags supporting L.G.B.T. pride and Black Lives Matter.

The pope has issued new regulations for the creation of religious groups, with the apparent intent of preventing anti-Vatican II and abusive organizations to form.