Pope Francis warned the bishops that many in the media and the general public will be focusing on those two issues -- married priests and women deacons -- while he wanted to focus on the social, pastoral, ecological and cultural challenges facing the Amazon region.

Bishop McElroy added, "There is no mandate in universal Catholic social teaching that gives a categorical priority to either of these issues as uniquely determinative of the common good."

Bishops Barber and Fitzgerald issued the statement expressing appreciation for the administration's commitment to parental choice in education following a visit by Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in Philadelphia.

Christian funerals outside of churches have been banned in some areas of China as the communist government begins to enforce new regulations on religious practices.

The first synodal assembly on the future the Catholic Church in Germany drew both praise and some criticism, with many of the 230 participants lauding what they called a special atmosphere in the debates on key reforms.

Diocesan guidelines included cleaning directions -- including microphones used by lectors -- and instructed people to bow their heads instead of shaking hands during the sign of peace.

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles said the issue of migration was among the topics discussed with the pope, who told them "how it's important for all of us in the church to be open and welcome immigrants."

News of Bryant's death quickly prompted tributes on social media. On Twitter, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles said "he was sad to hear the news" and offered prayers for him and his family.

The three Americans were among eight firefighters and 31 people total who have died in the wildfires since September.

A Catholic layman in Hebei, identified only as Paul, said he was "worried that the authorities would use this to crack down on the church."