Pope Francis began a series of general audience talks Aug. 5 about the principles of Catholic social teaching that can help the world recover from the pandemic and move forward in a way that is better for human beings and for the environment.

Amidst a pandemic, migrants suffer even more, as evident in the experiences of those in a Greek island camp.

Gossip is “a plague worse than COVID,” Pope Francis said, asserting that while speaking ill of others comes almost naturally, it is a tool of the devil to divide the church.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has put the brakes on most foreign travel and many in-person meetings, Pope Francis still has some major events on his fall 2020 agenda.

Given the longevity of the pandemic, the church in Europe will have to deal with the urgency of keeping the faithful engaged in their faith, according to the archbishop of Luxembourg.

Before resuming their studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, seminarians from the United States had to undergo a 14-day quarantine, as mandated by Italian authorities.

The “common thread” among the celebrations, especially in 2020, the cardinal said, “is our common home in which the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are one cry.”

While reciting the Angelus, Pope Francis urged people to pray for various intentions, including praying for those suffering from the pandemic.

Pope Francis has warned that we must be careful not to let the pandemic lead us to indifference toward our fellow human beings.

Their heads encased in bandages covering the wounds where they had been conjoined, 2-year-old twins named Ervina and Prefina were baptized by Pope Francis in the chapel of his residence.