Being with the people "is the most beautiful place" to be, he told priests during the chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica April 18.

Accepting an invitation from the Chinese government, the Holy See is one of a number of nations and organizations participating in an international garden expo in Beijing.

"When you become a slave to your phone, you lose your freedom," Pope Francis said.

Retired Pope Benedict XVI wrote an article outlining his thoughts on the clerical sexual abuse crisis about what must be done now.

In its 10th plenary assembly, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, headed by Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston, met in Rome on April 4-7 to discuss the recently concluded summit on sexual abuse.

The Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has rejected an appeal by the now-former Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron of Agana, Guam, upholding its judgment of finding him guilty of abuse against minors.

The Vatican will be hosting a "spiritual retreat" on April 11-12 for the leaders of South Sudan, focusing on building confidence in the September 2018 peace agreement ending the five-year long civil war and strengthening civility and dialogue in public life.

"What God wants is fraternity among us."

Iraqis and Syrians returning to their homelands and refugees living abroad need the help of all Catholics and people of goodwill, said the Congregation for Eastern Churches.

During his May 31-June 2 visit to Romania, Pope Francis will beatify seven bishop-martyrs who died as a result of an anti-religious campaign during Romania's Communist regime. During that trip, the pope will also meet with Romania's Roma community.