The meeting comes in the midst of an ongoing national crisis in Venezuela marked by daily protests that have lasted more than 70 days and by acts of repression from the forces of President Maduro’s government.

Prime Minister Trudeau wants the Vatican to address the legacy of Catholic-run residential schools where indigenous children suffered abuse.

Missionaries are entrusted with bringing hope to poor Christian communities while building bridges with Muslims and protecting human rights, Pope Francis told a group of men and women missionaries.

Pope Francis celebrated Pentecost Mass, urging Christians to avoid "diversity without unity" and "unity without diversity."

Vatican officials slammed it as “a disaster for the whole world because the United States has such importance today and is a country that many follow.”