The W.C.C. general secretary described Francis’ visit as “a strong signal of recognition by the Catholic world.”

Pope Francis and Vatican diplomats have followed with growing concern the grave tensions and even threats of nuclear attacks that have been exchanged between the United States and North Korea.

Pope Francis said the challenge is “to find ways of ensuring the immense supply of energy required to meet the needs of all, while developing means of using natural resources that avoid creating environmental imbalances.”

The preparatory document for the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazonian Region invites input from the local churches in the nine countries of the Amazonian region.

The pope’s encounter with the priest-victims marked the end of “the listening phase” and the beginning of actions that need to be taken.

For the first time in its 245 years, Pope Francis has appointed a married layman, Vincenzo Buonomo, to lead the university.

“The culture of abuse and cover-up is incompatible with the logic of the Gospel,” the pope wrote.

In another surprise decision, Pope Francis has decided to send Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta and Msgr. Jordi Bertomeu to Chile.

The pope appeared to be alluding to the fact that since February there has been a crackdown by the Chinese authorities on religion in the mainland.

The encounters will take place from June 1-3 at Santa Marta, the Vatican guesthouse where Francis lives.