First came the Year of Mercy, followed by the U.S. election and now the inauguration of Donald Trump as president. It’s as if, in encouraging mercy, Pope Francis anticipated this Trumpian age before any of us saw it coming.

VATICAN CITY – Although great strides have been made through 50 years of ecumenical dialogue, Catholics and Lutherans must continue to work toward becoming a full and visible sign of unity for the world, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis on Thursday invited the faithful to let themselves be drawn by Jesus pointing out that Christian life is a daily struggle against temptation.

VATICAN CITY – In reaction to a new book claiming that Pope Francis has in fact done little to combat clerical sex abuse, and that Cardinal George Pell is implicated, the Australian cardinal's office has dismissed the claims as motivated by opposition to reform.

BOLOGNA, Italy — The Church is in a state of "great confusion" over Pope Francis' exhortation on love in the family, said one of the four cardinals who authored the letter to the Pope asking for clarification of Amoris Laetitia.

VATICAN CITY – Last year, more than 13 million people around the world watched Pope Francis explain one of his specific prayer intentions each month.

VATICAN CITY – In a gesture of closeness to those who lost loved ones and homes following several devastating earthquakes, Pope Francis baptized 13 babies from central Italy.

While attending an ecumenical service at a Lutheran church in Rome a year ago, Pope Francis encountered a Lutheran woman who was married to a Roman Catholic. She asked the Pope why she could not receive the Eucharist while attending Catholic services with her husband.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis Monday sent a telegram to survivors of a cargo plane crash in the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan, expressing his sorrow for all those who died and sending his prayers for the rescue efforts.

VATICAN CITY – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas thanked Pope Francis for his support of the country's new embassy to the Holy See.

ROME, Italy – As colder weather settled over Rome last week, two area charities have found ways to reach out to those without food or shelter during the cold winter nights: one by turning a church into a temporary shelter, another by partnering with a newly-opened McDonald’s near the Vatican.

ROME – Being a real Christian does not mean being a saint, but giving witness to Jesus in word and, especially, deed, Pope Francis told members of a parish on the eastern edge of Rome.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has decided to begin 2017 in much the same way as he did last year: praying for Christian unity.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has asked young people to tell him, their bishops and pastors about their hopes and struggles and even their criticisms.

During his homily on Friday morning in the Chapel of Santa Marta, Pope Francis said that authentic faith must be ready to take risks and that real hope is the reward.