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In this July 12, 2015, file photo, Pope Francis checks his watch as Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi stands beside him, during an airborne press conference aboard the airplane directed to Rome, at the end of his Apostolic journey in Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay. The Pope plans to meet Cuba’s president and its priests, its young and its sick, its churchgoers and its seminarians as he travels across the island starting Saturday. But not its dissidents. Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said that Francis had not accepted any invitations to meet with dissidents, and well-known opposition members told The Associated Press they have received no invitation to see him. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

Pope plans to duck dissidents in Cuba, spawning criticism

By Andrea Rodriguez and Michael Weissenstein - Associated Press

In this file photo released on Monday, May 11, 2015, Pope Francis meets Cuban President Raul Castro during a private audience at the Vatican, Sunday, May 10, 2015. Cuban President Raul Castro has been welcomed at the Vatican by Pope Francis, who played a key role in the breakthrough between Washington and Havana aimed at restoring U.S.-Cuban diplomatic ties. (Gregorio Borgia, File Pool Photo via AP)

Pope Francis will likely meet Fidel Castro during Cuba visit

By Elise Harris - Catholic News Agency

Archbishop of Washington His Eminence Cardinal Donald William Wuerl (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

Cardinal Donald Wuerl among American prelates added to synod list by Pope Francis

By Elise Harris - Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis waves as arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, in this Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, file photo. Francis, speaking Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, from Rome via satellite to people in three American cities, asked a teenage girl to sing for him as he sought prayers for his upcoming trip to the United States. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

Vatican confirms Pope Francis’ visit to Africa in November

By by Elise Harris - Catholic News Agency

During his upcoming visit to the nation's capital, Pope Francis will canonize Junipero Serra, who founded the California mission system that introduced Christianity to west coast American Indians. Critics say Serra's work led to persecution of America's native peoples. (The Monterey County Herald via Associated Press)

Pope Francis to canonize Junipero Serra during Washington, D.C., visit

By Cheryl Wetzstein - The Washington Times