Morning Briefing

Pope Francis may be back in Rome, but the fallout from his six-day visit to the United States is still happening. 

• Start here with our Following Francis: Follow-up blog
• Equally Blessed pilgrims welcomed despite challenges
• Despite Francis' intervention, Georgia moves forward with execution
• Pope sends painfully mixed signals to abuse victims

However, here at NCR headquarters, and also in our Vatican bureau, we are gearing up for the beginning of the Synod on the family, which starts Oct. 4. Get ready to read some inspiring, engaging stories on families.

• Reality is messy for US Catholic families
• Viewpoint: Divorce, repentance and grace
• Commentary: How the synod should begin

Here are some national headlines from around the web: 

• Prayer caucus, funded by taxpayers, defends faith in the public square
• Conversion therapies don't work, experts say, so why do gay Mormons still seek them out?
• Churches step in after feds drop Fugitive Safe Surrender
• How should America deal with the sinners in its prisons?
• U.S. turns to 'Zero Dark Thirty' writer for anti-ISIS propaganda
• Kansas City, Kan., archdiocese criticized for 'quiet disclosure' of priest abused of sexual abuse
• Gallup, N.M., diocese brings in $161,000 from auction
• There's a reason why Bernie Sanders talks about Pope Francis so much
• Serra statue defaced days after canonization

Here are some international headlines from around the web: 

• Islamic State group says it guns down Italians in Bangladesh
• A top Nigerian export: Fervent Christianity
• Francis wants to be the first pontiff to visit mainland China
• Vatican City turns away journalist posing as Syrian refugee
• New album recorded inside Sistine Chapel