Pope Francis made a surprise visit on Oct. 4 to the town of Amatrice in Italy, recently devastated by an earthquake, and told survivors there: “From the first moment” of the tremblor on Aug. 24, “I felt the need to be here.”

Catholic charities around the world are advocating on behalf of children victims in Syria.

One C9 cardinal told me recently, “Pope Francis truly believes in a collegial style of government; we see this clearly in our meetings."

"Humility never comes without humiliation. And we see Jesus humiliated on the cross,” said Francis.

Cardinal-designate Ernest Simoni will be one of 17 prelates elevated to cardinal in a consistory on Nov. 19 at the Vatican.

The church in the rest of the world, particularly in the southern hemisphere, will have greater representation in the next conclave.