"Let your words be simple so that everyone can understand. Don't give long homilies," the pope said. "Allow me to ask you to remember your dad and how very happy he was to have found another parish in a town nearby where the Mass was celebrated without a homily!"

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops called on Kenyans to prepare for Pope Francis' first visit to Africa at the end of November by embracing peace and co-existence and with prayer. They also invited people to turn out to welcome the pontiff during his Nov. 25-27 visit to the East Africa nat

Kenya is the pope's first stop on a three-nation visit to the continent later this month.

Officials had only confirmed two deaths by that afternoon, but residents and volunteers feared the number would rise. Water and mud swept over the rural area of one of Brazil's most famous historic cities, Mariana, leaving a trail of destruction.

Among the plaintiffs are the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Archdiocese of Washington, Priests for Life and Texas Baptist University.

The president said that America is now a global leader in taking serious action to fight climate change. “And frankly, approving this project would have undercut that global leadership. And that’s the biggest risk we face—not acting.”