Father Stephen Fichter spoke about the groundbreaking survey of U.S. bishops conducted by CARA in 2016 and first reported in America magazine in 2018.

Pope Francis told a group of U.S. bishops their job is to step back from partisan politics and help their faithful discern based on values.

Protecting human life is the "preeminent" social and political issue, Pope Francis said.

The plan would cede control over financial, human resources and governance functions to professional laity.

The Gaza Strip has been under an air, land and sea blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt in 2007.

The executive order, issued in September, requires for the first time that resettlement agencies get written consent from state and local officials in any jurisdiction where they hope to place refugees after June 2020.