"Whoever was opposed to Bishop Okpaleke taking possession of the diocese wants to destroy the church. This is forbidden," the pope said.

About two dozen “Marches against Shariah” organized Saturday in cities across the country by ACT for America, a self-styled grass-roots national security organization.

“We know what our traditions, we know what our differences are, but we also know what unites us.”

"Women are fully entitled to actively take part in all settings, and their rights must be affirmed and protected," the pope said.

The Vatican earlier posed no objection to the beatification process of Father Palliola, who established Christian settlements in the western part of Mindanao among the Subanon tribe.

The controversial move earlier this month was also another indicator of the sharp contrast between conservative Christians and the rest of the American religious scene