Pope Francis, who will celebrate his 88th birthday in December, has approved simplified liturgical rites for the death of a pontiff.

There are no second-class Christians, Pope Francis said. The laity, including women, and the clergy all have special gifts to edify the church in unity and holiness.

As the world faces the persistent threat of nuclear conflict, people of faith must unite in advocating for peace and fostering dialogue, Pope Francis said.

With Ukraine’s first lady seated in the front row, Pope Francis told people at his general audience that it is “a shameful tragedy for all humanity” that Russia’s war on Ukraine has lasted more than 1,000 days.

Pope Francis announced that he will canonize Blesseds Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati next year and that the Vatican will host a world meeting on the rights of the child Feb. 3.

Pope Francis prayed for a conversion of hearts and a start to dialogue, reconciliation and peace in a letter marking the 1,000th day since Russia launched its large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

After back-to-back natural disasters in recent weeks, the Cuban people “are suffering immense hardships and … need our help,” said Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia.

Pope Francis urged young people to embrace hope and play an active role in creating a brighter future while countering the pessimism so many of their peers seem to experience.

The “silent acceptance” of famine in the world is a “scandalous injustice and a grave offense” that requires the unified attention of the international system, Pope Francis said.

Starting in the Holy Year 2025, local churches worldwide will annually honor the saints, blesseds and other holy figures connected to their communities, Pope Francis announced.