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Francis in the Baltics

Pope Francis and Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid attend a welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace in Tallinn, Estonia, Sept. 25, 2018. (CNS/Paul Haring)

Pope Francis traveled to the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia Sept. 22-25, 2018.

Francis defends response to clergy abuse, says church has 'spared no effort'

by Joshua J. McElwee
Sep 25, 2018

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT FROM ESTONIA — Pope Francis said the Catholic Church has grown in its understanding of the "monstrous" problem and has "spared no effort" to protect children.

Francis: young people 'outraged' at Catholic Church over sexual abuse

by Joshua J. McElwee
Sep 25, 2018

Tallinn, Estonia -- Pope Francis has acknowledged that some young people are angry with the leaders of the global Catholic Church, saying that a perceived lack of "clear condemnation" of clergy sexual abuse has resulted in youth becoming "outraged."

Francis in Latvia: Catholics should stand with those excluded from society

by Joshua J. McElwee
Sep 24, 2018

Catholics should stand with people who are being excluded from society, seeking to feel the wounds of those who are hurting, Pope Francis said at a Mass here Sept. 24.

Francis warns: 75 years after Holocaust, guard against 'any whiff' of anti-Semitism

by Joshua J. McElwee
Sep 23, 2018

Pope Francis warned Sept. 23 that society must guard against "any whiff" of a new rise in anti-Semitism, saying that young people who did not experience the barbaric killings of the Holocaust can be lost to its "siren song."

Francis praises Lithuanian spirit of welcoming migrants, practicing tolerance

by Joshua J. McElwee
Sep 22, 2018

Pope's upcoming trip signals support for nations on Russia's periphery

by Joshua J. McElwee
Sep 18, 2018