Junno Arocho Esteves

Clericalism has led to a distorted view of authority that has contributed to the problems of sexual abuse and the abuse of power and conscience affecting the Catholic Church, said the head of the Vatican's clergy office.

While recent accusations by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò have created tension in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis is approaching the situation calmly, the Vatican secretary of state said.

While the faith of Catholics in Ireland is strong, the scandal of abuse and cover-up by church leaders has caused a decline in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, Pope Francis said.

The scandal of clergy abusing minors and vulnerable adults has overwhelmed the Catholic Church and its mission to preach the Gospel, said the Vatican secretary of state.

The power of God's name is manifested in the lives of people who live their faith in an authentic way, while it is taken in vain by those who live in hypocrisy, Pope Francis said.

Christians must do more than dream of a better world; they must take an active role in changing it, a Vatican official wrote on behalf of Pope Francis.

By receiving the Eucharist at Mass, Christians are given Christ's same spirit and a taste of eternal life, Pope Francis said.

Like the ancient Israelites, Christians today also can fall into the temptation of creating their own idols when difficulties and uncertainties arise, Pope Francis said.

Idolatry is a human inclination that spares neither believers nor atheists and deprives people of life and love in exchange for slavery to unfulfilled dreams, Pope Francis said.

Christ's commandment to love God and neighbor is a path trodden by those who have the desire to become saints, Pope Francis told thousands of altar servers from around the world.

The Chilean prosecutor's office has issued a subpoena to Cardinal Riccardo Ezzati of Santiago regarding his role in the alleged cover-up of sexual abuse by members of the clergy.

The bishops of East Africa praised the peace efforts that brought an end to the two-decade war between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

As his delegates to preside over sessions of the Synod of Bishops in October, Pope Francis has chosen four cardinals from countries where young people are facing special challenges.

As the Catholic Church in Chile continues to reel from allegations of clerical sexual abuse and cover-ups, police arrested the former chancellor of the Archdiocese of Santiago on accusations he sexually abused minors.

The Jesuits' general postulator said he has begun compiling all of the writings of Jesuit Fr. Pedro Arrupe and seeking eyewitnesses who can attest to the holiness of order's late superior general.

The traditionalist Society of St. Pius X elected 47-year-old Fr. Davide Pagliarani, an Italian member of the society, as its superior general.

As war continues to threaten the Middle East and to undermine the existence of Christian communities there, the international community must do more to bring lasting peace, Pope Francis said.

Hearts closed to welcoming migrants and refugees are similar to those of the Pharisees, who would preach sacrifice and following God's law without exercising mercy to those in need, Pope Francis said.

Behind the indifference toward human life lies a contagious illness that blinds people to the lives, challenges and struggles of others, Pope Francis said

A Vatican court found Msgr. Carlo Alberto Capella, a former staff member at the Vatican nunciature in Washington, guilty of possessing and distributing child pornography.