Pope Francis offered prayers and condolences to the victims of a fire in an Orthodox Church that took the lives of 41 people — including 18 children — who died in a fire in Egypt’s capital, Cairo.

While the purpose of Pope Francis’ visit to Kazakhstan will be to attend the Congress of World and Traditional Religions, the interreligious meeting also will serve as the backdrop for his long-awaited meeting with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill.

Pope Francis dedicated his general audience talk to the urgent need for young and old to come together so older people can share their faith and wisdom about the world.

Good journalism has to be creative and promote communication that focuses on dialogue, intelligence and helping build active communities, said the prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication.

Mary’s humble life and example are a testament to the triumph of service and love over power and success, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis called on the international community to help the people of Somalia who are at risk of famine due to severe drought.

In the more than 700 years that have passed since St. Celestine established the legal precedent, the right of a pope to resign remains ensured in church law.

Pope Francis continued his series of talks on old age and reflected on Jesus’ farewell to his disciples during the Last Supper, in which he promised to “prepare a place” for them.

Christians must never give in to fear when evangelizing, especially when reaching out to those in need in the digital space, Pope Francis said.

The oldest member of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Jozef Tomko, died Aug. 8 in Rome at the age of 98.