In meeting a delegation from the International Commission against the Death Penalty on December 17, 2018, Pope Francis urged nations to work toward its abolition and defend the dignity of life.

While greeting new ambassadors accredited to the Holy See in an audience on December 13, 2018, Pope Francis, in observance of the 70th anniversary of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, urged governments and world leaders to secure peace and promote the "development of each individual and all peoples."

"By beatifying our 19 brothers and sisters, the church wishes to bear witness to her desire to continue to work for dialogue, harmony and friendship."

The martyrs, who were murdered nine years after St. Romero was killed while celebrating Mass, were believed to have been targeted due to their outspoken calls for a cease-fire between government and rebel forces.

The book, titled "Il Giorno del Giudizio" ("Judgment Day"), was released Nov. 6 and reconstructs the events leading to Archbishop McCarrick's rise in the hierarchy while countering claims made by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, former nuncio to the United States.

As the Christmas season draws near, the Vatican postal service prepared a unique set of commemorative stamps designed by a talented, yet unlikely, artist: a prisoner serving a life sentence.

Six bishops representing episcopal conferences on five continents issued a joint statement calling on the international community to take immediate action against climate change.

Throughout the discussions leading up to the synod's final week, small groups "have been very specific and intentional that we don't become too Western with our approach."

Just before the announcement was made, the pope met with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and discussed the sexual abuse scandal affecting the Catholic Church in the country.

A new documentary about Blessed Óscar Romero, featuring a rare interview with him, revealed the martyred archbishop's thoughts regarding accusations that he became too progressive.