In an extraordinary gesture for the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis has extended to priests worldwide the authority to absolve women for the sin of abortion and has decreed the full validity during the year of the sacrament of confession celebrated by priests of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X.

Eleven cardinals, at least four of whom will participate in the world Synod of Bishops on the family in October, have urged fellow church leaders to maintain the church's rules regarding marriage and strengthen Catholic education about marriage and family life.

"Today as well, in the Middle East and other parts of the world, Christians are persecuted," Pope Francus said. "There are more martyrs [today] than there were in the first centuries" of Christianity."

Vatican nuncio to the Dominican Republic was accused of abusing adolescent boys

In the Year of Mercy, the Catholic Church's annual day of reflection and prayer on the situation of migrants and refugees will include a special reminder that "welcoming the stranger" is a corporal work of mercy.

Pope Francis' speeches to Congress and to the United Nations in late September will be less pastoral than homilies--more about policy.

Seventy years later "this tragic event still gives rise to horror and revulsion."

The Catholic Church must develop better ways to "accompany" people in their family life and not simply condemn those who fail, said a diverse group of theologians, including the former theologian of the papal household.

The cross was created by Jesuit Father Luis Espinal, who was assassinated in 1980.

In word and deed, Pope Francis will take his vision of a Catholic's approach to family life, parish life, charity, economics, immigration and good governance to Cuba and the United States during a Sept. 19-27 visit.Visiting both Cuba and the United States on the same trip not only acknowledges h