These appointments are a further indication of the pope’s determination to give more responsibility to women in the Vatican in positions that do not require ordination.

Pope Francis: “In the next few weeks, I invite you to tackle together the pressing questions that the pandemic has brought to the fore, social ills above all.”

“Let us pray for the victims, for their families; and let us pray for Lebanon so that it might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing.”

Maximino Caballero Ledo has extensive experience as a finance leader with Baxter International, a Fortune 500 American health care company.

The only reports of Mr. Scalfari’s long conversations with Francis have come from the elderly journalist, who does not record or take notes.

After reciting the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, the pope praised a cease-fire accord in Ukraine and asked young people not to leave the elderly “by themselves” during the pandemic.