The Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference and Caritas India are among 19 Catholic institutions that have decided to divest from the fossil fuel industry.

It will be the pope’s fourth visit to Asia, the continent where he foresees growth for the Catholic Church in the 21st century.

The Feb. 21-24, 2019 meeting is believed to be the first of its kind.

While he has defended his record, arguing that he removed priests accused of sexual abuse of minors from ministry in Pittsburgh, the cardinal has previously acknowledged that in other cases, he came up short.

In the wake of this scandal, I do not blame people for leaving the church.