To promote dialogue and reconciliation, the pope will have to move with great prudence.

Although he named no countries, Vatican observers believe he is referring especially to political leaders in several western and eastern European countries.

On Nov. 11, the Catholic Church lost a moral titan in the long struggle for racial equality and justice in the United States.

Gen. Min Aung Hlaing wields great political power in the country.

The change was in “no way” a response to the C.C.H.D.’s persistent online critics, an archdiocesan official says.