Bishops from U.S. Region VIII -- North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota -- met the pope on the first day of their "ad limina" visit.

The former prelate had stayed a little over one year at St. Fidelis Friary, run by the Capuchin Franciscan order in Victoria, Kansas. While his new residence has not been publicly disclosed, one diocese vociferously declared that McCarrick was not within its territory.

The Catholic Church runs some 54,000 educational institutions in the country, and at least half of them get financial aid from the state.

The "ever-more-complex situation of families in France" had made compiling Catholic documents "sometimes difficult," especially with baptisms.

The festivities already began at Mary Queen Catholic Church in Friendswood, Texas, Jan. 4. Other celebrations occur throughout January.

The pope also addressed the political crises in Latin America, including Venezuela, where he said he hoped "efforts to seek solutions will continue."