The pope's words can be read as an answer to those who hope his pontificate may end soon.

Pope Francis encouraged Cardinal Lacroix and the bishops from Quebec to be a missionary church, “a church that goes out, reaches out to people.”

The war has “caused a grave humanitarian crisis that has left half of the country’s population, around 7.3 million people, hungry every day."

This was the pope and chancellor's sixth meeting.

The meeting comes in the midst of an ongoing national crisis in Venezuela marked by daily protests that have lasted more than 70 days and by acts of repression from the forces of President Maduro’s government.

Pope Francis celebrated Pentecost Mass, urging Christians to avoid "diversity without unity" and "unity without diversity."