The pope's message was addressed to those attending a meeting of state parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

The synod, which took place at the Vatican Oct. Oct. 6-27, addressed the challenges facing large dioceses with few resources to minister to Catholics in remote areas.

A 10-year-old girl from McAllen, Tex., is recognized for her efforts in helping the homeless in her hometown.

In his Nov. 6 weekly audience in Rome, Pope Francis urged his listeners to be open in dialogue with people of other faiths and cultures, in much the same way that St. Paul did.

"I tell people all the time that a lot of my politics and a lot of the way I think about things, was influenced by them," McGovern said, speaking of the Jesuits.

The Trump administration announced a proposed rule to allow faith-based adoption and foster care agencies to follow their deeply held religious beliefs and not place children with same-sex couples.