The Vatican's Migration and Refugees Section has urged the adoption of nonbinding global compacts concerning the protection and care of migrants and refugees.

The history is complicated. The hopes are great. The risks might be even greater.

The pope’s comments have provoked consternation among previous admirers, who worry that he is walking back the more pastoral approach to L.G.B.T. Catholics that has been his hallmark, and rejoicing among some of his usual critics, who complain that his persistent emphasis on mercy can sometimes break church doctrine.

Family spokesman Jim McGrath says Mr. Bush died shortly after 10 p.m., about eight months after the death of his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush, who died on April 17, 2018, at the age of 92. They were the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history.

The Vatican today announced the approval of its application to a payment-integration initiative of the European Union for simplification of bank transfers in the euro currency.

Such discussions must never become "a public controversy with attacks that end up calling into question the credibility of the church and her mission," the cardinal said.