In a statement July 22, the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa, known by the acronym AMECEA, said the steps taken by the leaders of both countries "show that Africans have the wisdom to solve their own problems amicably."

"There's something going on in the culture. And one of the elements of that cultural shift is that people are prepared to speak up in a way that they would never have done before."

Pope Francis said he stands with the U.S. bishops who recently condemned the Trump administration's policy on immigration that has led to children being held in government shelters while their parents are sent to federal prisons.

The document outlines the church’s need to listen to young people, to help guide them in the faith and to identify pastoral paths to accompany them.

Oscar Karadima revealed that he was among the group of priests and laypeople who met with Pope Francis on June 2 and spoke to him about the suffering his family endured, following the revelation that his brother was found guilty of sexual abuse.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna said his mission to the country was a sign of Pope Francis’ closeness to the local church.

Migrants seeking a better life in other countries must not be viewed with suspicion but rather defended and protected, no matter their status, Pope Francis said.

The archbishop said his team's pastoral mission includes providing "concrete technical and legal assistance to the dioceses in Chile so they may give adequate responses to each case of sexual abuse of minors committed by clergy or religious."

Pope Francis wished a happy 90th birthday to the "father of liberation theology" and thanked him for his contributions to the Catholic Church and his love for the poor.

The church must "remain female" and "have this attitude of a wife and mother" who nurtures her children, the pope said in his homily May 21 during a morning Mass commemorating the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church.