The phrase "Ephphatha," meaning "be open," signifies the need for believers to be receptive to God's message and to serve others. Christians are encouraged to embody openness.

Francis, who will celebrate his 87th birthday on Dec. 17, spoke freely about his health, the possibility of resignation and whether he is losing patience with detractors.

While Pope Francis’ pastoral visits have stayed consistent, his hospital visits have increased.

“As religious people, we struggle, we see hard things happen, horrible things happen in this world. And our job is to figure out: How do you reconcile and keep going on within that?”

Praying the Angelus with some 25,000 visitors in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis urged listeners to disconnect from the “pollution of vain words and chatter” present on social media platforms.

Marking the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Pope Francis called for peace in Gaza and respect for human rights.