Pope Francis, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and the Rev. Jim Wallace, moderator of the Church of Scotland, marked the 10th anniversary of South Sudan’s independence and again promised to visit the country when it has a stable peace.

Bishop Bätzing said he “informed the pope in detail” about the status of the German church’s “Synodal Path” and “made it clear that the rumors that the church in Germany wants to go its own way are not true.”

The Vatican has informed Italy that a draft law to fight homophobia and discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity could violate the freedom of Catholics to teach and practice their faith.

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti today reaffirmed restrictions on the private celebration of pre-Vatican II Masses at St. Peter’s Basilica: “So that what is exceptional does not become ordinary.”

Writing to his peers, Catholics who have reached a venerable age like he has, Pope Francis told older Catholics that God is close to them and still has plans for their lives.

The Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life has imposed term limits on leadership and ordered the groups to ensure all members have a voice in choosing their leaders.

“My fragility, the fragility of each one of us, is a theological place of encounter with the Lord. The ‘superman’ priests end up badly, all of them,” Pope Francis said.

John Kerry, Biden’s special envoy for climate, gave a keynote address at the Vatican and will have a private meeting with Pope Francis.

While millions of laypeople around the world are recognized as catechists in their parish or diocese, Pope Francis is preparing to formally institute the “ministry of catechist.”

“Be poor like the holy, faithful people of God are poor,” he told nine men just before ordaining them to the priesthood for the Diocese of Rome. “Don't be climbers” seeking some kind of “ecclesiastical career.”