Calling itself Better Church Governance, the group plans to enlist former F.B.I. agents to investigate cardinals on how they handled allegations of sexual abuse and whether they have remained faithful to their vows.

The pope stresses hope, dialogue and discernment in opening address to the synod on young adults.

Describing this synod as a “moment of grace for the whole church,” Pope Francis prayed that the Holy Spirit “may help us to preserve the memory of the Lord.”

The percentage of U.S. Catholics who view the pope favorably, while still strong, is noticeably down.

The Synod of Bishops on young people opens on Wednesday, and for the first time in history, two bishops from mainland China will be in attendance.

The pope’s appeal to Catholics comes at a moment of great turbulence in his five-year pontificate.