Alessandro Gisotti, an Italian journalist who is the social media coordinator for the Dicastery for Communications, has been appointed by the pope as interim director.

Francis prayed for peace, and said that "without the fraternity that Jesus Christ has bestowed on us, our efforts for a more just world fall short."

“Be converted and hand yourselves over to human justice, and prepare yourselves for the divine justice.”

After an allegation of his misconduct with a minor in the 1990s was deemed credible, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of the Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar.

In his World Day of Peace message, Pope Francis warned against the vices that are too often linked to politics today and do not build peace in society.

The request is a clear indication that children, not the reputation of the church, will be the paramount concern at this meeting.