The court is scheduled to hear cases relating to immigration, religious freedom, federalism, voting, employee rights and federal court jurisdiction over foreign governments and corporations.

Three Democratic senators had pointed questions about the Catholic faith of judicial nominee Amy Coney Barrett.

“Religious persecution and intolerance remains far too prevalent,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said.

The pastor’s release came a day after Canadian officials confirmed that a delegation had traveled to North Korea to discuss his imprisonment.

Cardinal DiNardo lamented that after three months no steps have yet been taken to erase the HHS mandate since Trump's pledge ease the mandate.

The role was created in 1998 and is charged with helping the U.S. government promote global religious freedom.