Pope Francis spent his first full day in Thailand meeting with the country’s prime minister and supreme patriarch of Buddhists.

“We are emphasizing through the synodal way the community and bonds of all believers—not the difference between clergy and laity. All of us are baptized and confirmed. All of us stand in the same mission to witness the Gospel,” Father Langendörfer said.

Arriving in Thailand after an 11-hour flight, Pope Francis was greeted by 11 children -- one for each of the country's dioceses.

In death, what we thought was lost is, wondrously, restored to us. What we feared could never be accomplished is achieved.

Before my illness I frequently thought of life from the perspective of what I had accomplished. Throughout my illness, God has reminded me that what is most important is what we do for other people and that he is really in charge.

Pope Francis has criticized clerics who are “far from the people.” One solution, writes Stacey Noem of the University of Notre Dame, is to better integrate candidates for the priesthood with lay students.