While greeting new ambassadors accredited to the Holy See in an audience on December 13, 2018, Pope Francis, in observance of the 70th anniversary of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, urged governments and world leaders to secure peace and promote the "development of each individual and all peoples."

The cardinal is the most senior churchman yet to be convicted of historical sexual offenses. His conviction is a grave blow not only to the church in Australia but also to Pope Francis.

Pope Francis has terminated the services of three cardinals who for the past five years were members of his council of nine cardinal advisors.

In keeping with his "Mercy Friday" activities, Pope Francis makes surprise visits to a newspaper and to a therapeutic rehabilitation home in Rome.

Francis is the first pope to visit the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, a majority-Muslim country of 10 million people.

The pope’s comments have provoked consternation among previous admirers, who worry that he is walking back the more pastoral approach to L.G.B.T. Catholics that has been his hallmark, and rejoicing among some of his usual critics, who complain that his persistent emphasis on mercy can sometimes break church doctrine.