Carol Glatz

Receiving a delegation from Ireland and blessing an icon of the Holy Family, Pope Francis confirmed his intention to visit Dublin for the final days of the World Meeting of Families.

Despite the chill and gusts of wind in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis welcomed the beginning of spring with an impromptu lesson about gardening and how to grow into being better Christians.

Archbishop Michael Byrnes said a new chapter of humility, repentance and healing has opened for the Catholic Church in Guam following a Vatican verdict against his predecessor.

Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who resigned five years ago as archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh after admitting to sexual misconduct, died early March 19 at the age of 80.

"If I want the Lord to listen to what I am asking him, I have to go, and go and go — knock on the door and knock on God's heart," the pope said in his homily March 15 at morning Mass.

Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, who said he did not believe in God, was a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and fostered a fruitful dialogue between science and faith.

Forgiving those who have caused pain or offense is not easy, Pope Francis said.

Pope's quotes: In his formal documents, many speeches and unscripted morning homilies the past five years, Pope Francis has given the church plenty of "food for thought" on many issues of great importance.

Francis at Five Years: Bringing a background in literary themes and devices with him to the papacy five years ago, Pope Francis has shown himself to be a master of metaphor and allegory.

Cardinal Karl Lehmann, longtime president of the German bishops' conference and a respected theologian who participated in the Second Vatican Council, died March 11.

God's love is never lacking, despite people's sins and rejection of his presence in their lives, Pope Francis said at a Lenten penance service.

A good confessor is a good listener, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis has chosen the theme and appointed members of the preparatory council for the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon region, which will take place in Rome in October 2019.

God asks so little of people and yet, he gives so much in return, Pope Francis said.

When Pope Benedict XVI's custom-made red leather loafers became a signature part of his wardrobe after his election in 2005, Newsweek labeled him "a religious-fashion icon" and Esquire named him "Accessorizer of the Year."

Calling the war in Syria "inhumane," Pope Francis called for an end to the fighting, immediate access to humanitarian aid for those in need and the evacuation of the injured and infirm.

It's time to break free from fear, fake online personas and looking at the world through a digital screen display, Pope Francis told young people.

When people are unable to love or accept a child with problems or illness, many times it's because they are too weak themselves to be able to bear someone else's vulnerabilities, Pope Francis told a group of children and young people who are wards of the state.

Everyone who goes to Mass has the right to hear the word of God in all its fullness, which means it must be read well and explained well with "fervor," Pope Francis said.

Even though the Catholic Church has all the necessary norms and laws in place to safeguard minors from abuse by clergy, the problem continues to be a lack in understanding or caring about those rules and guidelines and applying them effectively, said one Jesuit expert.