Addiction is "a net" people can fall into during "a moment of weakness, of depression. It is very easy for one to fall. But it is also a net that can be torn away," said Msgr. Segundo Tejado Munoz.

"We Christians cannot stand with arms folded in indifference" or thrown up in the air in helpless resignation, the pope said in his homily Nov. 18, the World Day of the Poor.

As workers were getting St. Peter's Square ready for this year's Nativity scene, nearby a large mobile health care facility was set up and running to serve the city's homeless and poor.

"Unfortunately, in many countries where people do not have normal access to safe drinking water," what is not lacking "is the supply of weapons and ammunition, which continue to deteriorate the situation," the pope said in a message published Nov. 8.

The true meaning and purpose of wealth is to use it to lovingly serve others and promote human dignity, the Pope said Nov. 7 during his weekly general audience.

"Good politics is at the service of peace" will be the theme for the Jan. 1 commemoration and for the message Pope Francis will write for the occasion.

"A Christian cannot be an anti-Semite; we share the same roots. It would be a contradiction of faith and life."

Countries do not develop by themselves; they are built by migrants, Pope Francis said.

Following the Francigena Way, an ancient pilgrims' path, a group of about 300 synod participants and young people from Rome parishes headed to St. Peter's Basilica to pray at the apostle's tomb.

This new catechumenate is necessary, Pope Francis said, because "you can't play around with love."