Pope Francis met at the Vatican today with relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas and, separately, with relatives of Palestinians suffering under the Israeli siege of Gaza.

Marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi putting together the first Christmas crèche in a cave in Greccio, Italy, the Vatican publishing house compiled texts by Pope Francis about Nativity scenes.

Pope Francis has invited a community of nuns to move into the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, renewing the building’s purpose as home to cloistered women dedicated to supporting the pope’s ministry with their prayer.

If it would not cause scandal or confusion among other Catholics, “a transsexual—even one who has undergone hormone treatment and gender reassignment surgery—may receive baptism under the same conditions as other faithful.”

Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, a key adviser to Pope Francis, denied that he had been tasked with drafting revisions to the rules governing the preparations for electing a new pope.

The synthesis report did not use the term “LGBTQ+” or even “homosexuality” and spoke only generally of issues related to “matters of identity and sexuality.”

Pope Francis' recent words to members of the synod on synodality included a strong condemnation of clericalism and a call to respect and honor of all baptized Catholics.

“It was a great blessing to be able to speak with him,” Sister Nabila Saleh said. “He gave us courage and the support of prayer.”

Published Oct. 15, the pope's letter is titled, "C'est la Confiance," the opening words of her phrase, "It is confidence and nothing but confidence that must lead us to Love."

As a superior general and then as a bishop, the cardinal said he had attended six previous synods, and this is “the most diverse synod I’ve ever participated in.”