Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of three women and recognized the martyrdom of 14 religious sisters who were killed during the Spanish Civil War.

Pope Francis in a letter to his top body on life issues said the world must recover its sense of humanity in the face of global challenges such as war, conflict and a loss of human dignity and rights.

The editor of a Vatican magazine on women has warned that women and sex abuse will dog Pope Francis until the problems are solved.