"The church is for life and her concern is that nothing be against life," no matter the stage of development or how weak or defenseless that life is, Pope Francis said.

The need for universal health care coverage was a major topic at the World Health Assembly meeting.

The Jesuit's approach was groundbreaking because "it was not a simple reconciliation of science and faith; it was integrating, creating a single, wholistic vision because the past danger was having a radical separation" of the two.

The bishops' conferences of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru forged a coordinated action plan to offer needed services to Venezuelans.

Pope Francis' planned meeting with abuse survivors from Chile could mark a turning point in how the Catholic Church deals not just with prevention, but especially with how it responds to accusations.

The Italian tree conservation association, "Patriarchi della Natura," made the donation as part of its national effort to protect biodiversity by collecting and propagating native tree species that are threatened or in danger of extinction in their natural habitats.

The father asked for "asylum" in Italy so his seriously ill son may receive care and "not be euthanized" in England.

Highlighting the plight of a seriously ill toddler in Great Britain and a severely brain-damaged man in France, Pope Francis called for greater respect for every patient's life and dignity.

There is hope "because from your cross—the fruit of greed and cowardice of many doctors of the law and hypocrites—came the resurrection," which turned darkness into eternal light and shows that Jesus' love is their hope, Pope Francis said.

The pope urged priests to be "street preachers" like Jesus.