Pope Francis in Reuters

On Abortion: Women who had abortions can be forgiven in Holy Year

In Church teaching, abortion is such a grave sin that those who procure or perform it incur an automatic excommunication. Usually only designated clergy & missionaries can formally forgive abortions. But from Dec.8 to Nov. 26, during an extraordinary Holy Year or "Jubilee" on the theme of mercy announced by Pope Francis in March, all priests will be able to do so, he said in a letter published by the Vatican.

In the letter, Francis described the "existential & moral ordeal" faced by women who have terminated pregnancies and said he had "met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision". He has shown no intention of retracting the Church's opposition to abortion, but has alarmed conservatives by taking a less forceful tone.

On Civil Rights: Met at Vatican Embassy with openly gay man & his partner

The Vatican chief spokesman said he would neither confirm nor deny the report and that there would be no further statement. The pope, speaking as he returned home from his 10-day trip to the US and Cuba, said government officials had a "human right" to refuse to discharge a duty if they felt it violated their conscience.

During the meeting, the pope told Davis to "stay strong", Staver said. Davis, whose parents are Catholic, has said her beliefs as an Apostolic Christian prevent her from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Conservative Christians, including some Republican presidential candidates, have said Davis is standing up for religious freedom.

On Civil Rights: If a gay person seeks God, Who am I to judge?

On Energy & Oil: Future of humanity is at stake with climate change

On Foreign Policy: Saddened by US restrictions on travel and trade with Cuba

On Health Care: No vaccine nationalism: coronavirus vaccines for all

"I beg everyone, heads of state, companies and international organisations to promote cooperation and not competition, to find a solution for everyone--vaccines for all--especially for the most vulnerable and needy in all areas of the planet," he said.

Francis also appeared to criticise people who have refused to wear masks because it violates their freedom: "And neither can we allow the virus of radical individualism to triumph over us and make us indifferent to the suffering of other brothers and sisters," he said.

On Immigration: Separating immigrant parents from children is immoral

One of his most pointed messages concerned Pres. Trump's zero-tolerance immigration policy, in which US authorities hold illegal immigrant adults in jail while their children are sent to government shelters.

US Catholic bishops have joined other religious leaders in the US in condemning the policy. "I am on the side of the bishops' conference," the pope said, referring to two statements from US bishops this month. "Let it be clear that in these things, I respect the bishops conference."

"It's not easy, but populism is not the solution," Francis said. The pope said populists were "creating psychosis" on the issue of immigration.

On Immigration: We should receive asylum-seekers, not reject them

He spoke at length about immigration, a controversial issue in Europe as well as the US. The populist Italian government has refused port access to non-government ships that have been rescuing asylum-seekers trying to cross to Italy from Africa in flimsy boats.

"I believe that you cannot reject people who arrive. You have to receive them, help them, look after them, accompany them and then see where to put them, but throughout all of Europe," Francis said.

"Some governments are working on it, and people have to be settled in the best possible way, but creating psychosis is not the cure," he added. "Populism does not resolve things. What resolves things is acceptance, study, prudence."

On Principles & Values: Politicians attacking gays, Jews, gypsies are like Nazis

"And I must confess to you that when I hear a speech (by) someone responsible for order or for a government, I think of speeches by Hitler in 1934, 1936," he said, departing from his prepared address.

On War & Peace: Peace and reconciliation in Mideast, Africa, and Asia

He called for peace and reconciliation in Syria, Yemen, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, South Sudan, Nigeria and Cameroon and Iraq, which he is due to visit in early March.

He also asked to comfort those suffering from humanitarian crises or natural disasters in Burkina Fasso, Mali, Niger, the Philippines and Vietnam.

On Immigration: Grave sin not to offer aid to migrants

The pope has spoken frequently about the treatment of migrants over his 11-year papacy. Migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea in simple crafts or home-made dinghies from northern Africa and the Middle East have been the subject of intense debate across Europe over the past decade.

In recent weeks, the pope had been offering a series of reflections about Catholic spiritual matters in his weekly audiences. The pope said he was postponing that series this week, to consider "people who are crossing seas and deserts to find a place where they can live in peace and security".