The church has pre-Cana programs for marriage, but is it falling short in giving couples spiritual preparation for parenthood?

The pope's audience included government ministers, civic leaders, military officials, cardinals and bishops, and about 200 lay people and the world’s media.

“Pope Francis has asked Cardinal Cupich to express his deep concern, as a father would have for his sons and daughters suffering in his family.”

“The fact is the military are still in control here even if we have a civilian government,” the priest said.

A diocesan bishop is the sole judge in the streamlined process for handling marriage annulments, Pope Francis said.

A Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians on Nov. 26 initiates “Solidarity in Suffering,” a week of awareness and education that runs through Dec. 3.