Obama's executive action expands a 2012 program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and creates the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents.

The church must become "a proactive agent for racial justice" if it is to "remain viable and relevant in the 21st century."

The plan calls for $21 million to be paid to 355 abuse survivors.

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops called on Kenyans to prepare for Pope Francis' first visit to Africa at the end of November by embracing peace and co-existence and with prayer. They also invited people to turn out to welcome the pontiff during his Nov. 25-27 visit to the East Africa nat

Kenya is the pope's first stop on a three-nation visit to the continent later this month.

Officials had only confirmed two deaths by that afternoon, but residents and volunteers feared the number would rise. Water and mud swept over the rural area of one of Brazil's most famous historic cities, Mariana, leaving a trail of destruction.

Among the plaintiffs are the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Archdiocese of Washington, Priests for Life and Texas Baptist University.

"The trend is like a mix of religion and politics," Cardinal Charles Bo said, raising fresh questions about the country's future at a crucial point on Myanmar's journey from military dictatorship to a functioning democracy.

Pope Francis said that women "must be protected and helped in this dual task: the right to work and the right to motherhood."

The Chinese government imposed its one-child policy in 1979 to curb the growth of the population that, at that time, was reaching 972 million people. The policy most strictly applied to Han Chinese, but not to ethnic minorities around China.