The bishops' conference president said the church would not back off from "reminding (Christ's) disciples of what fidelity to him—in all things, including political life—demands."

"We've been focusing on gratitude because it's easy to relive the horror stories and relive the disappointment and the fear."

Pope Francis has added his name to the list of people offering prayers for Canadians affected by the massive wildfires that have led to the evacuation of Fort McMurray.In a May 6 letter to Bishop Paul Terrio of St. Paul, the pope said he "was saddened to learn of the destruction and distress ca

The event was sponsored by the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, which wanted to "draw attention to the dramatic issue of anti-Christian persecution."

"He was not a medical expert or a faith healer, but a man who through his own prayer and personal holiness was able to transmit to those he encountered something of the healing power and the good news of Jesus Christ."

Officials are assessing the scope of the damage and working to provide humanitarian aid to the estimated 350,000 people who were affected.

"A border fence contradicts both the Gospel and the clear appeal of Pope Francis to Europe," said Bishop Agidius Zsfikovics of Eisenstadt.

"We affirm that the two-state solution...must be viable politically, geographically, economically and socially."

"Education is the real game changer. If the average stay in a refugee camp is 17 years, what are you going to do with those 17 years?"

"This House believes that Christians, Yezidis, and other ethnic and religious minorities...are suffering genocide at the hands of Daesh."