The Vatican said the reason for the apostolic visitation in 2017 was due to “shortcomings concerning the style of government, the life of the members of the council, the pastoral care of vocations, the formation of new vocations, administration, the management of works and fundraising.”

Pope Francis received Fr. James Martin S.J. in the papal library of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace this morning.

Pope Francis denounced “the globalization of indifference” as he celebrated Mass in St Peter’s Square on the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sept. 29.

“My election as pope did not convert me suddenly,” Pope Francis said, “so as to make me less sinful than before. I am and I remain a sinner. That’s why I confess every two weeks.”

The list includes all of the diocesan bishops of the nine countries from the Amazon region, as well as three from the United States.

In all three countries, Pope Francis pleaded for protection of the environment. Mining by foreign companies to extract precious minerals has been a major problem in Madagascar and Mozambique. In Madagascar, deforestation is especially a threat.

Some 40 percent of the U.S. Catholic community has a Hispanic background and that “more than 50 percent of the Catholics in the United States under the age of 18 are Hispanic.”

Rev. Gabriele Martinelli is accused of the sexual abuse of altar boys who served the papal masses in St. Peter’s Basilica and who lived in a Vatican pre-seminary in the years before 2012.

His critics know Pope Francis "will not change,” said Father Sosa, adding, “In reality, these [attacks] are a way to influence the election of the next pope.”

Pope Francis believes that Christianity and the Catholic Church can have a great future in this continent where two-thirds of humanity live.