In unscripted remarks to young Russian Catholics in a video conference on Aug. 25, Francis spoke of past tsars Peter I and Catherine II - both of whom expanded Russian territory.
Calling nature a "sacred gift from the creator," the pope urged people to take the side of the "victims of environmental and climatic injustice."
In the 10 years since his election, Francis has been criticized by conservative sectors of the US Church who are opposed to the pope's reforms.
The controversial new policy enforces students using their pronouns assigned at birth and their birth names and forbids same-sex relationships.
The billboard was put up on the Almirante Reis avenue - one of Lisbon's longest and busiest streets - and reads: "4,800+ children abused by the Catholic Church in Portugal."
The pope had decided to approve Shen "for the greater good" of the Shanghai diocese and because Shen was an "esteemed pastor."
The new cardinals will come from countries including the United States, Italy, the pope's native Argentina, Hong Kong, and several others.
A man tore up and burned a Quran in Sweden's capital Stockholm last week, resulting in strong condemnation from several states.
Pope Francis accepted the resignation of a Tennessee bishop who was facing allegations that he had mishandled a sexual abuse investigation.
A Vatican statement put an end speculation about what role Gaenswein, a powerful figure in the Vatican for more than a decade before Francis sidelined him after a personal falling out, would have.
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