PANAMA CITY – While sharing a private lunch with pilgrims from around the world, Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy and emphasized the need for unity and prayer, a U.S. pilgrim said.

PANAMA CITY – A church wounded by sin can paralyze, confuse and tire the hearts of Catholic clergy and laypeople, causing them to doubt their mission in the modern world, Pope Francis said.

PANAMA CITY – The path walked by Jesus to his passion and death on the cross is the same path of indifference and marginalization taken by those who suffer in the world today, Pope Francis said.

World Youth Day pilgrims can tell you many stories about the adventures we all had at Cinta Costera these last few days but none are more harrowing than my adventure to find a bathroom.

PANAMA CITY – Just like the Pharisees, many today shun Jesus' merciful love toward sinners and prefer to use labels that stigmatize a person's past, present and future, Pope Francis said.

PANAMA CITY — Young men and women in the Church can bring the joy of the Gospel to the world by showing that God's love extends to all people and excludes no one, Pope Francis said.

PANAMA CITY, Panama – At World Youth Day Thursday, Pope Francis told the bishops of Central America to be close to the people, and to let their wounds and suffering be the drive behind the bishops’ actions and priorities.

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Panama's geographical position as a bridge between land and ocean is symbolic of its ability to broker peace and hope in an area marked by violence and conflict, Pope Francis said.

PANAMA CITY — Pilgrims lined the streets of Panama City to welcome Pope Francis to World Youth Day and his first papal visit to Central America.

A proposal by Pope Francis to broaden the pro-life agenda to encompass a wider array of life-related issues is not sitting well with some members of Canada’s pro-life movement.

When I found out about World Youth Day Panama I was beyond excited. 

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO PANAMA – While speaking to a journalist aboard his flight to Panama, Pope Francis confirmed that he will visit Japan this year.

PANAMA CITY – If there was a common denominator, aside from the Christian faith, that united most pilgrims heading to the opening Mass for World Youth Day 2019 in Panama, it was that each person, in his or her own way, faced a challenge back home.

BEIJING – The president of China's state-sanctioned bishops' conference has pledged to work with the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association to develop the Sinicization of religion in the communist nation.

PANAMA CITY – Young people attending World Youth Day called attention to the world's environmental problems, issuing what they called a "manifesto" for the "care of the common home."