"War is always a defeat," Pope Francis said, urging people at his general audience to pray that leaders in war-torn nations would have the courage to negotiate for peace.
"We must make every effort to discuss, to negotiate to end war. Let's pray
"Family farmers are to be commended for the supportive way in which they work, as well as the for the respectful and gentle way in which they cultivate the land," the pope wrote in a March 19 message to a meeting of
Though the global situation risks plunging people into pessimism, Christians are called to pursue their vocation of becoming "men and women of hope," Pope Francis said.
"As individuals and as communities, amid the variety of charisms and ministries, all of us are called
Asked to reminisce about his life and where he was at key moments in history, the 87-year-old Pope Francis obliged, but also used the opportunity to talk about the lessons the events hold today and his hope for the future.
Pope Francis has named Bishop Luis Manuel Alí Herrera to be secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and Teresa Kettelkamp to serve as adjunct secretary.
Bishop Alí, 56, has been secretary general of the bishops' conference of Colombia since
Synodality is a key theme of Pope Francis' pontificate and its importance to the church's mission can be seen in the American church's response to policy issues including migration, said experts in a Georgetown University panel discussion marking the pontiff's 11th anniversary.
The work of protecting minors and other vulnerable people in the Catholic Church involves holding those in positions of power accountable for the abuse they commit, Pope Francis said.
The church's safeguarding efforts "must undoubtedly aim at eradicating situations that protect those who
Pope Francis' comment that Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" and engage in negotiation to end its war with Russia was dismissed by the Ukrainian government and church leaders.
In an interview with the Swiss broadcaster RSI, the pope had