The Knights of Columbus began their 143rd annual convention on Aug. 5 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C., where thousands of members gathered for the occasion.

Just a few meters from Immaculate Conception Cathedral in the Argentine city of La Plata stands the world’s largest mural dedicated to Pope Francis.

The pope commended Burke’s pastoral witness, writing: “He has preached the precepts of the Gospel according to the heart of Christ and has recounted His treasures.” 

The “Mass for the Care of Creation,” inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, has prayers and Mass readings designed “to ask God for the ability to care for creation.”

A Vatican spokesman has played down the significance of recently leaked Vatican documents that appear to cast doubt on Pope Francis’ rationale for restricting the Latin Mass.

“The position taken by Africa was also the position of so many bishops here in Europe. It’s not just an African exception,” Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo said.