"The bad news, though it is not really bad news, is that the global population of Catholics has grown dramatically since then, so today we have far fewer priests per Catholic."

In his welcome message, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore thanked those who gathered noting, "We are united in prayer for the welfare of Baltimore. We are united in prayer for the people of Baltimore."

Promising new treatments that are emerging every year cannot be available “only to the privileged and the powerful,” Biden told some of the 350 top cell therapy doctors, researchers, philanthropists, ethicists and activists.

Authorities arrested six people who have maintained contact with a couple that left Italy to join the Islamic State in Syria.

"He was not a medical expert or a faith healer, but a man who through his own prayer and personal holiness was able to transmit to those he encountered something of the healing power and the good news of Jesus Christ."

"The work I do as a Catholic holding office conforms to the social doctrine as best I can make of it."