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Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonborn speaks during a news conference for the release of Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation on the family, "Amoris Laetitia" ("The Joy of Love"), at the Vatican April 8. The exhortation is the concluding document of the 2014 and 2015 synods of bishops on the family.

Document on family develops doctrine, doesn't change it, says Schonborn

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' document on the family reflects an "organic development" of Church teaching and doctrine, said Vienna Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, theologian and participant in both Synods that dealt with the topic.

A family prays after arriving for Sunday Mass in 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Alexandria, Va.

Gestures, spirituality are essential in family life, Pope says

VATICAN CITY – Simple gestures such as a kind look or a morning kiss and family prayer can strengthen couples in living out their vocation to marriage, Pope Francis said in his apostolic exhortation.

Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, general secretary of the Synod of Bishops, and Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, holds a copy of Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation on the family, "Amoris Laetitia" ("The Joy of Love"), during a news conference for the document's release at the Vatican April 8. The exhortation is the concluding document of the 2014 and 2015 synods of bishops on the family.

Share truth of family with mercy, Pope says in apostolic exhortation

VATICAN CITY – The same mercy and patience that are essential for building a strong family must be shown to those whose families are in trouble or have broken up, Pope Francis said in his highly anticipated post-synodal apostolic exhortation.

Pope Francis embraces Humberto and Claudia Gomez, who are married civilly but not in the church, during a meeting with families at the Victor Manuel Reyna Stadium in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico, Feb. 15. Pope Francis' postsynodal apostolic exhortation on the family, "Amoris Laetitia" ("The Joy of Love"), was to be released April 8. The exhortation is the concluding document of the 2014 and 2015 synods of bishops on the family.

Papal exhortation expected to stress broader conception of family

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis’ landmark text on the family, scheduled for release on Friday, is expected to encourage a more open attitude toward the non-nuclear family but contain no change in Church doctrine.

Refugees and migrants sit in front of a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel March 22 following a rescue operation on the Greek island of Lesbos. Pope Francis will go to Lesbos April 16 with Orthodox leaders to highlight the plight of refugees.

Pope to visit Lesbos to highlight plight of refugees

VATICAN CITY - In an effort to highlight the dramatic situation of refugees left in limbo on the Greek island of Lesbos, Pope Francis and other Christian leaders will meet with the migrants April 16.

Pope Francis greets Lizzy Myers of Mansfield, Ohio, during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 6. Myers, who has a disease that is gradually rendering her blind and deaf, met the Pope as part of her "visual bucket list."

Pope blesses eyes of Ohio girl going blind

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis blessed the eyes of an American girl who suffers from a genetic condition that will make her blind, in a visit to the Vatican described as a “miracle” by her father.

Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior of the Society of St. Pius X, is pictured in 2012 at the society's headquarters in Menzingen, Switzerland.

Pope meets head of traditionalist Society of St. Pius X

VATICAN CITY - As discussions continue between Vatican officials and leaders of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, Pope Francis met at the Vatican with Bishop Bernard Fellay, head of the society.

Pope Francis speaks as he leads a prayer service on the eve of the feast of Divine Mercy in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 2.

Pope asks for new Catholic institutions of mercy, charity

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis asked Catholic dioceses around the world to set up a permanent memorial of the Year of Mercy by establishing a hospital, home for the aged or school in an under-served area.

Pope Francis joined the photo-sharing site Instagram March 19 using the account "Franciscus." As of April 1 the Pope had more than 2 million followers. This is a screen capture of a post on his page.

Pope breaks record on Instagram

VATICAN CITY - With a simple tap, Pope Francis joined Instagram and quickly set a record for gaining one million followers.

Cardinal Georges Cottier, former theologian of the papal household, died March 31 at the age of 93. He is pictured in a 2015 photo.

Cardinal Cottier, former theologian of papal household, dies

VATICAN CITY - Cardinal Georges Cottier, former theologian of the papal household, died March 31 at the age of 93.

The Vatican is investigating a former children's hospital president and treasurer after rumours that funds from the hospital's foundation were used to help finance the remodelling of a cardinal's apartment.

Vatican confirms investigation into financing of cardinal's apartment

VATICAN CITY - Vatican judicial authorities are investigating the former president and former treasurer of its Bambino Gesu pediatric hospital in a case involving the financing of remodelling work on the Vatican apartment where Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone lives.

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