When Catholics approach a church tribunal or canon lawyer, they “must always meet the face of our mother, the holy church, who loves all her children with tenderness,” Pope Francis said.

While world events can seem chaotic, violent and out of control, Christians can be certain that “everything is ultimately subject to the judgment of Christ, the just and merciful king,” Pope Francis said at Mass.

Pope Francis has named a “cura villero” — one of the priests working in the shantytowns of Buenos Aires — to head the Argentine archdiocese previously led by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Amid controversy over religious-themed tattoos sported by President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary Pete Hegseth, a U.S. office of a Vatican lay institution for the church in the Holy Land has expressed concern regarding the misuse of its historic insignia beyond strictly religious purposes.

Pope Francis will visit the French island of Corsica Dec. 15, the Diocese of Ajaccio announced, although the trip was not immediately confirmed by the Vatican.

The situation in Ukraine is very “worrisome” and could spiral out of control, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

A true study and understanding of the church’s history and experience are needed to help priests better interpret today’s world, to make the Gospel more relevant and to counter ideologies and distorted narratives about the church, Pope Francis said.

Culture and education must go hand-in-hand to form students into agents of social change driven by hope, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis has appointed Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, as the sole administrator for the Vatican’s pension fund, which is currently unable to guarantee future obligations in the medium term.

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