Pope Francis will create 21 new cardinals on December 8, 20 of whom can vote for a new pope. Among them are Frank Leo, archbishop of Toronto, and Timothy Radcliffe, former master of the Dominicans.

German Cardinal Gerhard Müller, a former Vatican doctrinal chief, cast sharp criticism on the Synod on Synodality days ahead of the synod’s second and final session starting Oct. 2.

The Vatican’s decision to expel 10 important members from the once-powerful Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a scandal-plagued society of apostolic life founded in Peru in 1971, was received with shock by many in Peru.

In the presence of the late king's nephew, the current King Philippe, and others, the pope praised King Baudouin's courage to step down to “not sign a murderous law.”

Pope Francis sought to encourage and reinvigorate the Catholic Church in Belgium, which has been disheartened by the abuse crisis.

During a brief visit to Luxembourg, Pope Francis recalled the nation's painful history and lauded its welcome to immigrants, encouraging its people "to be faithful to this legacy."