Pope Francis told Iraqis that he will be visiting their country in three different roles: as a “penitent pilgrim,” a “pilgrim of peace” and a “pilgrim of hope.”

“They awaited St. John Paul II, who was not permitted to go. One cannot disappoint a people for the second time,” Pope Francis said ahead of his apostolic visit to Iraq, March 5 to March 8.

In a book on the health of the popes, Francis discusses his own health history and says he is now in good health for his age.

An interview with Cardinal Leonardi Sandri, the prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Oriental Churches

A number of the cardinal’s public statements on the liturgy and other topics reflected a pre-Vatican II traditionalist outlook that at times openly contrasted with the direction given by Pope Francis.

In his address to Vatican ambassadors, Pope Francis said that the pandemic “set before us a choice: either to continue on the road we have followed until now or to set out on a new path.”

Pope Francis today expressed his “live concern” at the recent developments in Myanmar where the military has seized power, overthrowing the results of the recent election.

Breaking with tradition and opening a new door in the synodal process, Pope Francis has appointed a woman, Sister Nathalie Becquart, as one of two new undersecretaries of the synod of bishops.

The head of the Catholic Church and the head of Al-Azhar gave the world yet another powerful witness of their friendship and commitment to work together for peace among the nations.

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo appealed to the people of Myanmar “to remain calm” and not resort to violence in the wake of the military coup.