In keeping with his "Mercy Friday" activities, Pope Francis makes surprise visits to a newspaper and to a therapeutic rehabilitation home in Rome.

Nearly two dozen Catholic entities have joined other investors in urging major oil and natural gas producing companies to oppose the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rollback of standards governing greenhouse gas emissions.

"Christians are leaving the Holy Land due to the lack of peace and economic hardships and we are struggling to keep them in their homeland."

"By beatifying our 19 brothers and sisters, the church wishes to bear witness to her desire to continue to work for dialogue, harmony and friendship."

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles on Thursday updated its tally of accused priests for the first time in a decade.

Jesuits West, which covers 10 western states, said its internal investigation found credible allegations against 111 priests, brothers or priests in training who were connected to it dating back to 1950.