"We are gathered in solidarity and witness" to support the region's Christians who face "tragedy" every day. "Much, much needs to be said about what continues to happen in the Middle East."

Pope Francis' reformed rules for marriage annulment cases, making the process simpler, quicker and less expensive, respond to calls that bishops from around the world have been making since before the 1980 Synod of Bishops on the family convoked by St. John Paul II.Catholic marriage tribunals do

To be a true Christian means being forgiving, kind, humble, gentle, generous, merciful and very patient with one another, Pope Francis said in a morning homily.Priests must be especially merciful, he added, saying if that they weren't, then they should ask their bishop for a desk job and "n

"Churches, parishes, institutions with closed doors must not call themselves a church; they must call themselves museums," he said.

Since hundreds of olive trees were uprooted to make room for a separation barrier through the Cremisan Valley adjacent to this largely Christian village, Father Aktham Hijazin, Annunciation Parish priest, has been celebrating Mass daily behind red-and-white police tape.

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez ordained Bishops Robert E. Barron, Joseph V. Brennan and David G. O'Connell to the episcopacy Sept. 8 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.