The executive branch headed by President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela “lacks legitimacy” but has de facto power, while Mr. Guaidó has legitimacy but not executive power. Venezuela in effect has two governments.

The Vatican described the retreat as “a propitious occasion for reflection and prayer, as well as an occasion for encounter and reconciliation.”

The delegates requested that the church declare that “human dignity implies the respect of every person as created by God” and “hence criminalization of L.G.B.T. people is today a manifestation of irrational hatred for that which is different from the norm and that homophobia is, in effect, a

This dark moment, he writes, with the help of young people “can truly be an opportunity for a reform of epoch-making significance, opening us to a new Pentecost and inaugurating a new stage of purification and change capable of renewing the Church’s youth.

Aboard the papal plane, Francis spoke with reporters about the need to build solidarity, not barriers.

Among those attending the Mass was Brother Jean-Pierre Schumacher, O.C.S.O, the last monk survivor from the monastery of Tibhirine in Algeria.

There are around 30,000 (including 23,000 Catholics) of them in this majority Muslim nation of 35 million people.

Pope Francis suggested four actions were needed to assist migrants in their plight today: “accept; protect; promote; and integrate.”

Pope Francis said he hoped his visit would “strengthen the bonds of sincere friendship,” mutual respect and cooperation between Christians and Muslims “and enable our communities to prepare a better future for coming generations.”

Pope Francis and King Mohammed VI: "the specific multi-religious character, the spiritual dimension and the particular cultural identity of Jerusalem / Al-Quds Acharif must be protected and promoted.”