These changes rebalance the relationship between the Vatican and local bishops' conferences in favor of greater local control.

A Vatican official condemns the lack of safe and legal channels for migration, citing the dependency that creates among migrants on smugglers and human traffickers who may exploit them.

The ruling Communist Party is again telling members that atheism remains a core value, not to be transgressed.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is like an "arsonist," the pope said, setting people's hearts ablaze.

Mr. Spicer, a Catholic, had expressed a desire to meet Pope Francis in May, but he was left off the list of U.S. officials who accompanied President Trump to the Vatican.

The pope said that church teaching can contribute to a more humane and just society, but only if the church is allowed a voice in answering "the great questions of society in our time."