SANTIAGO, Chile – Pope Francis met in private Jan. 16 with survivors of sexual abuse by Chilean clergy, a Vatican spokesman said.

SANTIAGO, Chile – Pope Francis, in his first formal speech in Chile, asked forgiveness from those who were sexually abused by priests.

SANTIAGO, Chile – Pope Francis arrived in Santiago, the first stop on a seven-day, six-city visit to Peru and Chile, where he will take his message of hope to people on the margins of society.

VATICAN – Being afraid and concerned about the impact of migration is not a sin, Pope Francis said, but it is a sin to let those fears lead to a refusal to help people in need.

OXFORD, England – Catholics in Belgium are concerned the country's euthanasia law is being abused to kill patients without legal checks and safeguards.

VATICAN – Prayer is a "high stakes" endeavor, requiring courage, perseverance and patience, Pope Francis said.

OSNABRUCK, Germany – The vice president of the German bishops' conference has urged a debate on whether Catholic clergy should bless same-sex unions.

AMMAN, Jordan – Church and political leaders in the Middle East are intensifying efforts to combat U.S. President Donald Trump's unilateral decision declaring Jerusalem as Israel's capital and plans to move the U.S. embassy there.

LUSAKA, Zambia – As a cholera epidemic threatens the lives of more than 14 million Zambians, the country has banned church services and other gatherings in the Lusaka's high-density residential areas.

VATICAN – Pastors who preach one thing and do another are wounded and harm the church, Pope Francis said.