Pope Francis suggested four actions were needed to assist migrants in their plight today: “accept; protect; promote; and integrate.”

Pope Francis said he hoped his visit would “strengthen the bonds of sincere friendship,” mutual respect and cooperation between Christians and Muslims “and enable our communities to prepare a better future for coming generations.”

Pope Francis and King Mohammed VI: "the specific multi-religious character, the spiritual dimension and the particular cultural identity of Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif must be protected and promoted.”

God does not need our external acts of piety. Rather, he asks us to sacrifice our arrogance, our insistence on autonomy, our selfishness, our fickleness, all of our shortcomings, upon his altar.

Iraqis and Syrians returning to their homelands and refugees living abroad need the help of all Catholics and people of goodwill, said the Congregation for Eastern Churches.

According to the National Trust for Canada, close to 9,000 churches could be closed within the next decade, citing the fact that they are becoming “surplus to the needs of society.”