Follow America's coverage of the 2019 Synod on the Amazon.

Pope Francis said the synod’s way is to “bring us close to consider the Amazon reality with this pastoral heart, with the eyes of disciples and missionaries.”

At an opening Mass for the synod on the Amazon, Pope Francis urged participants to exercise “daring prudence” and called for evangelism without “colonialism.” Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell reports.

In his homily as he created 13 new cardinals, Pope Francis emphasized the intimate link between being compassionate and “the ability to be loyal in one’s ministry.”

The prelates hail from 11 different nations and represent multiple religious orders, including the Society of Jesus.

Pompeo: “More than 80 percent of mankind lives in places where religious freedom is threatened or entirely denied and it’s no coincidence that it has happened as unfree societies have proliferated.”