Fundamentalism in any religion 'is a transversal darkness which robs us of an horizon.'

"We have told the story of the missions in a way that has shown them as harmonious. In reality, conquest does not work that way," said Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Edward W. Clark. "We see weakness in our curriculum on the mission era. We want to strengthen that."

The European Union must adopt a common asylum policy "without delay" because it is unacceptable for refugees to "drown and suffocate" at the fringes of the bloc, said the European bishops.

The Obama administration announced that it would seek to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees during the next fiscal year--a significant increase from the 1,293 admitted in fiscal 2015, but far short of the number other nations have pledged to accept.

Asked what he might ask Pope Francis were he to be a guest on his new show, Colbert replied, "I would ask him about how love leads him to joy, or does love lead him to joy?"

The synod "needs to be looking at the ways poverty undermines families," said Maryann Cusimano Love, associate professor of international relations at The Catholic University of America. "Healthy families need women who can support them," yet women overwhelmingly make up some of the most poorly paid sectors of the U.S. economy, such as waiting tables, and serving as health aids.