Francis shocked the world when he traveled to Iraq earlier this year despite the ongoing pandemic. And the 84-year-old pope hopes to visit several more countries in the second half of 2021.

“Be poor like the holy, faithful people of God are poor,” he told nine men just before ordaining them to the priesthood for the Diocese of Rome. “Don't be climbers” seeking some kind of “ecclesiastical career.”

“Brothers and sisters, let us all ask ourselves about this umpteenth tragedy. It is a shameful moment.”

The pope, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, marked the Feast of St. George April 23 by visiting people who came to the Vatican for the second dose of their Covid-19 vaccinations.

Humanity either must live up to its responsibility or continue on a path of self-destruction, Pope Francis said, commemorating Earth Day with a video message.

Working from a copy of the new survey that he obtained, Gerard O'Connell summarizes some of the questions that the Vatican is now asking about possible bishops.