When the Vatican announced Pope Francis would travel to L’Aquila in central Italy Aug. 28 to open a seven-centuries-old celebration of forgiveness, people on social media began speculating that the pope would resign.

Pope Francis expressed his solidarity and closeness with Catholics in Nigeria after gunmen stormed a church and reportedly killed at least 50 people during a Pentecost Mass.

The Holy Spirit shows everyone where to begin, what paths to take and how to walk the great journey of life, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis appealed to world leaders to start “real negotiations” to end to the war on Ukraine and avoid bringing the world to ruin.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has paid close to $78.5 million of a total of more than $81 million awarded to 438 victims of sexual abuse by archdiocesan clergy under the Independent Reconciliation and Reparations Program, which released its final report June 2.

Meeting 18 young priests and monks from six Oriental Orthodox churches, Pope Francis insisted divided Christians must work together to share the Gospel.

In the wake of recent mass shootings that have devastated local communities and the nation at large, several U.S. bishops, women’s religious orders and Catholic organizations have called for stricter federal gun control measures, while state Catholic conferences have rallied behind local measures attempting to curb the spate of gun violence.

The Vatican updated its COVID-19 protocols, allowing most employees and visitors to enter Vatican City State without a vaccination certificate or proof of recovery.

Family life is a path toward holiness where older and younger generations can learn to live with one another peacefully, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis sent well-wishes to Queen Elizabeth II as the reigning British monarch began the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of her coronation as well as the public celebration of her birthday.