A key motivation, Pope Francis said, was to find ways to respond positively to the call of the Second Vatican Council "to overcome this divorce between theology and pastoral care, between faith and life."

“There is no such thing as harmless disinformation; on the contrary, trusting in falsehood can have dire consequences.”

The issue is expected to come up in the 2019 special gathering of the Synod of Bishops to study questions related to the church's pastoral work in the Amazon.

Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, the grand imam, hosted a meeting Jan. 17-18 with Christian and Muslim clerics and political leaders from 86 countries in reaction to President Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The church's key contribution to peace must be education, both in classrooms and as examples of diverse people living in harmony.

During Mass for World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis says that we must not let fear of migrants impact our ability to help those in need.

The Vatican newspaper noted media reports that President Donald Trump "used particularly harsh and offensive words about immigrants" from several countries.

The statement from the Kazakh bishops can be interpreted as a response to Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation, "Amoris Laetitia."

“Let’s not extinguish the hope in their hearts; let's not suffocate their hopes for peace,” the pope said of refugees.

Pope Francis, newly 81, will begin 2018 with a focus on Mary and on migrants and refugees.