Much of the business appears to be routine, though the bishops as a body have been vocal in recent months about a range of political and social issues, as well as internal church politics, that are sure to come up during the meeting.

Catholic leaders in Lebanon urged the international community to stop wars and bring peace to the Middle East.

"International relations cannot be held captive to military force, mutual intimidation and the parading of stockpiles of arms," Pope Francis said.

After the mass shooting at First Baptist Church, the town turned to the only other civic institution here capable of handling it all — another Baptist church.

On the same day as the Texas church shooting when 26 people were killed and more than 20 were wounded, another shooting already had taken place in the parking lot of a Catholic church in Fresno, California.

Responding to the string of extreme weather events has been a challenge for the society in the affected communities and the society overall.