Survivors of abuse and their advocacy organizations had expressed frustration with the lack of specific recommendations at the conclusion of the Vatican summit.

Fasting always sounds like a brilliant idea before the consequences hit home. Having lost some control over my bowel movements, I felt vulnerable and fragile. I was afraid. Was it really worth it? Would I make it the full 40 days?

The practice of remembering death may sound grim, but not so long ago, it was considered an essential part of the Christian tradition.

The Vatican celebration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2019 will be celebrated Sept. 29

"I invite you to live your faith with great freedom, never believing that there exists only one form of political commitment for Catholics, a Catholic party."

Pius, who was pope from 1939 to 1958, has been strongly attacked for not speaking out publicly against the Holocaust but defended by some for the vast hidden work he did to help many victims of the Nazis, fascists and communists.