Junno Arocho Esteves

The Vatican announced Nov. 9 that Pope Francis has recognized that Pope John Paul I, who served only 33 days as pope, lived the Christian virtues in a heroic way.

Like stained glass windows, the saints allow the light of God to permeate the darkness of sin in the world, Pope Francis said on the feast of All Saints.

Clericalism is a path taken by those who, unlike the good shepherd, concern themselves with money and power and not with people who are suffering and neglected, Pope Francis said. 

Pope Francis said that there are no easy answers to the suffering and destruction wrought by hurricanes, humankind must take responsibility for not caring for the environment.

Pope Francis called on the people of the United States to welcome migrants and urged those who are welcomed to respect the laws of the country.

Italian Fr. Maurizio Pallu, who was kidnapped by several gunmen in Nigeria and held captive for nearly a week, was freed Oct. 17.

Christians can find hope even at the hour of death, which faith teaches is not a closed door but a wide-open passage to a new life with Christ, Pope Francis said.

Christians who do not really listen to the word of God and are only concerned with outward appearances are corrupt and idolatrous, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis announced a special gathering of the Synod of Bishops to focus on evangelization and the connection between faith and environmental concern in the Amazon region.

Like the Catholic Church's newest saints, Christians are called to live their faith as a love story with God, Pope Francis said.

As the church marks the 25th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, promoting it as a means of teaching the truth about faith remains a challenge and a priority.  

Pretending there are no differences between men and women or using technology to change a person's sex is not the answer to overcoming the subjugation of women, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis has invited Christian and non-Christian young people from around the world to a meeting in preparation for the Synod of Bishops on youth in 2018.

Real hope lies in the proclamation of Jesus' death and resurrection, not just with one's words but also in deeds, Pope Francis said.

St. Vincent de Paul's zeal for helping the poor was the instrument God used to bring about a "burst of generosity in the church," Pope Francis said. 

Pope Francis urged the bishops of Bolivia to faithfully guide their flocks as breakaway groups comprised of former priests and seminarians are gaining ground in the country.

Those who govern are called to be humble and serve the good of the people God entrusts to them rather than the interests of their party or themselves, Pope Francis said.

Colombia's long and arduous path toward reconciliation and a lasting peace after nearly half a century of war is a sign of hope for all Christians, Pope Francis said.

Indian Salesian Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted by Islamic State militants in Yemen and held captive for more than a year, was freed.

Italian Cardinal Carlo Caffarra, retired archbishop of Bologna and founder of the Pope John Paul II Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family, died Sept. 6 at the age of 79.