Humanity needs to be motivated by spiritual values if it is to avoid being thrown into dangerous exploits and useless massacres, Pope Francis said.

With many of the concrete, hot-button issues removed from the agenda and turned over to study groups, some people wonder what members of the Synod of Bishops on synodality will be doing when they meet at the Vatican in October.

For three days, Paris welcomed several thousand participants from around the globe who took part in the 38th “International Meeting for Peace,” organized Sept. 22-24 by the Community of Sant’Egidio.

Pope Francis called the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East “unacceptable,” after Israel and Hezbollah exchanged increased airstrikes, with Israeli missiles killing hundreds in Lebanon.

Christians must acknowledge the reality of the devil acting around them and remain steadfast in resisting his temptations, Pope Francis said.

Wars are destroying the world, and religious leaders must join together to urge their governments to “stop while there is still time,” Pope Francis said.

Numerous volunteers and professionals are doing everything in their power to make Pope Francis’ visit to Belgium go smoothly.

Pope Francis met with the bishops of Mozambique Sept. 24, a day after he had canceled his scheduled audiences because of “a mild flu-like condition.”

The risk of artificial intelligence being manipulated to influence public opinion and to interfere with elections must be acknowledged and prevented, Pope Francis said.

Celebrating the feast of St. Matthew with Italy’s financial police, Pope Francis urged them to follow the example of their patron, the tax collector who became an apostle, by not only being just, but also bringing charity and solidarity into their work, especially with migrants and the victims of crime.