Soviet Union

During times of freedom or persecution, the Gospel is needed to bring meaning, fullness and hope to life, Pope Francis said.

Catholics should stand with people who are being excluded from society, seeking to feel the wounds of those who are hurting, Pope Francis said at a Mass here Sept. 24.

Julek Plowy and his family were among 1,432 Poles who were resettled in Colonia Santa Rosa in Leon, Mexico, aided by the fledgling War Relief Services, which was started in 1943 by the National Catholic Welfare Council of the U.S. bishops in response to the human suffering wrought by war.

Despite high-level interchurch closeness between pope and patriarch, on the local level "the Catholic Church still faces great challenges merely building bridges with Russian society."