Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley expressed his surprise, disappointment and disagreement with statements challenging the commission’s effectiveness made by Father Hans Zollner.

Pope Francis has asked the doctors not to give public reports on his health condition, as he does not want to dramatize his state of health.

A Vatican statement said the 15th-century papal bulls, or decrees, “did not adequately reflect the equal dignity and rights of indigenous peoples” and have never been considered expressions of the Catholic faith.

As Francis faces this new illness, help the doctors and nurses who care for him, help him to bear any pain with grace and help him to heal quickly.

A Homily for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, by Father Terrance Klein

In his weekly general audience, Pope Francis reveals how Paul of Tarsus was the exemplary witness to what passion for the Gospel means, and he has the zeal to preach about Jesus and help others.

Pope Francis has “a respiratory infection that requires some days of appropriate medical therapy in hospital,” the Vatican press office said in a statement.

There are urgent “structural and practical issues that led me to disassociate myself” from the papal commission of sex abuse, Father Hans Zollner said.

A Reflection for Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent, by Michael Simone, S.J.