Pope Francis

COMMENTARY As the first pope from Latin America, Francis will be lauded for urging compassion for the region's immigrants — but also questioned about how effectively he helped reduce their numbers.

Because the Argentine pontiff, who died Monday, championed the marginalized — including migrants — he helped galvanize Catholic and other charity ministries here like St. Vincent de Paul.

COMMENTARY Pope Francis has suggested the church can bless same-sex unions — a reconsideration of Catholic teaching that reflects gay marriage's rise in Latin America.

Pope Francis met with Indigenous leaders and survivors of Canada's residential schools this week. He had expressed sorrow in the past on behalf of the church, but this is the first formal apology.

Francis says individuals have a responsibility to care for themselves "and this translates into respect for the health of those around us."

Biden is the second Catholic U.S. president, and his faith is central in his public image. The pastor at a D.C. church where the president worships tells NPR that Biden has felt supported by Francis.

The pope spoke about a report released Tuesday that estimated some 330,000 French children were abused by clergy and other church authority figures dating back to 1950.

From the balcony of a tenth-floor window, the 84-year-old pope gave a blessing and spoke of the importance of free and accessible health care.

The Vatican said the 84-year-old pope had been diagnosed with "symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon," a reference to a narrowing in the large intestine.

Francis urged political and religious officials to work toward "healing and reconciliation," but he did not formally apologize for the church's role in the forced reeducation of 150,000 children.

The first major revision of Catholic canon law in nearly four decades redefines clerical sex abuse and mandates specific punishments. It also sets punishments for the attempted ordination of women.