The pilgrimage to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families and Washington, D.C., to see Pope Francis took plenty of sacrifices. We traveled by bus, train and foot, walking sometimes miles to see him.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis has officially commenced the Jubilee of Mercy, calling those who pass through the newly-opened Holy Door to rediscover God's mercy and experience the mystery of his love.

A family from St. Stephen Parish on Grand Island got to meet Pope Francis in Philadelphia for the pope's first-ever visit to the United States in September. Mary and Marty Bobak meet Pope Francis and watched as he gave a blessing and kiss on the forehead to their youngest daughter.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On a Nov. 30 in-flight press conference returning from his trip to Africa, Pope Francis said that efforts to push the Church to allow condom use to prevent HIV are too narrow and do not see the whole picture.

BANGUI, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CNA/EWTN News) - Reported violence near a mosque Pope Francis is slated to visit in Central African Republic caused the pontiff to reply with an immediate "can I go (be with them)?" according to a bishop who was standing close by.

Vatican City, Nov 22, 2015 / 11:41 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis condemned the "senseless violence" of Friday's terrorist attack on a hotel which killed at least 22 people in Mali, and prayed for the "conversion of hearts."

Vatican City, Nov 19, 2015 / 09:58 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his homily Thursday, Pope Francis said that just as Jesus wept for Jerusalem in the day's Gospel reading, he continues to weep today, because the world has rejected the path of peace in exchange for war.

In the six days that Pope Francis visited the United States, he was able to command the attention of virtually everyone in the country. By spending time in the nation's Capital, the home of the United Nations and Wall Street, and the birthplace of American freedom, he was able to speak to and reflect on the great icons of what it means to be American.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Amid questions over whether European nations will reevaluate their migrant policies in the wake of Friday's deadly attacks in Paris, Pope Francis offered a reminder over the weekend that refugees are more than statistics: they are children of God, each with his or her own inherent dignity.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - The acts of terrorism which took place in Paris Friday night are the latest part in what Pope Francis has called a "piecemeal World War III," describing the attacks as "inhuman."

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - For Pope Francis the dinner table is a key place to strengthen family bonds and foster a sense of "togetherness," which he said can often be thwarted by an excess attachment to technology.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Though letting go of yourself and living for others can make you seem weak in the eyes of the world, Pope Francis said that this is the purpose of our lives, and that in the logic of God, it's what makes us truly victorious.

A group of 38 priests, deacons and seminarians from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora were among the congregation when Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Washington, D.C.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis Sunday officially brought the Synod on the Family to a close at Mass in St. Peter's, warning against a "spirituality of illusion," and reminding pastors of their duty to accompany the faithful and be bearers of God's mercy especially in times of suffering and conflict.

In September, Pope Francis made headlines when he announced that all priests worldwide will be allowed to hear confessions and forgive women who have had abortions. Cheryl Calire, diocesan director of Pro-Life Activities, discussed this matter and said this will not have a significant effect on Diocese of Buffalo policy, but is an important step toward making the Church more welcoming.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Sunday Pope Francis canonized four new saints, whose greatest legacy he said was their tireless imitation of Jesus in humble service to others, which is something each of us are asked to emulate.

In the wake of Pope Francis' visit to the United States and his call to Catholics around the globe to take better care of the earth, the diocesan Care for Creation Committee continues to organize events to promote Pope Francis' message released in his June encyclical, "Laudato Si," or "Praised Be." The committee, founded in 2006, arranges events in the diocese to raise awareness of the environment.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis opened this Wednesday's general audience by apologizing for unspecified scandals that have recently arisen in the Vatican.

After Pope Francis' visit to the United States, a new Pew Research Center survey finds that the pope has generated goodwill toward the Roman Catholic Church among many people across the political spectrum. Ideological liberals and moderates, along with Democrats, are especially likely to say Francis has given them a more positive view of the church.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis' visit to homeless men and women in Washington, D.C., was "life-changing," said the head of Catholic Charities in the nation's capital.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In an unexpected speech at the synod on Tuesday, Pope Francis has stated that this gathering is in continuity with 2014 synod, which he said never called into question the Church's teaching on marriage.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - After meeting with Pope Francis earlier this morning Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi confirmed that the Pope met with Kim Davis and her husband as part of a large group invited by the nunciature.

Pope Francis arrived in Philadelphia Saturday for the World Meeting of Families. We decided to catch up with several of our diocesan friends in Philly as we present our day four photo gallery.

About 100 people skipped Sunday's Buffalo Bills victory over the Miami Dolphins for another kind of community activity: a special telecast of Pope Francis' closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia screened at St. Leo the Great Church in Amherst.

On Sept. 25, Pope Francis gave his first ever Mass in the Big Apple before an audience of 20,000 people in Madison Square Garden. Immediately following the much-anticipated event, three Western New Yorkers who traveled to New York City for the Mass gave their thoughts on the experience, as well as what it meant to them to be able to hear and see the pope during his inaugural trip to the United States.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis told journalists on board his flight to Rome that giving communion to divorced and remarried Catholics is a "simplistic" solution to the issue, and stressed that there are also other problems that need to be discussed.

VATICAN CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - In a 47 minute Q&A with journalists on his way back to Rome Pope Francis touched on sensitive topics such as forgiving abusers and conscientious objection, as well as the upcoming synod of bishops and women's ordination.

Amtrak train #184 is my mobile office as I write this column en route from Washington, D.C., to New York City. I have just left a U.S. Capital totally energized by the presence of Pope Francis.

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (CNA/EWTN News) - At the final Mass closing out the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, Pope Francis warned against narrowing God's love and works to only a certain group of people.

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis this morning met with 5 survivors of sexual abuse during his visit to Philadelphia, telling bishops afterward that the evil acts can no longer remain in silence, and promised his personal vigilance in protecting minors.

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (CNA/EWTN News) - During his visit to a Philadelphia correctional facility this morning, Pope Francis said every person is marked and bruised by life, but Jesus washes away our sins and invites us to live a full life.

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (CNA/EWTN News) - The Church today is called to foster among young people a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for the Gospel mission, Pope Francis said on Saturday to group of priests and religious gathered in Philadelphia's cathedral.

Pope Francis took the Big Apple by storm Friday with appearances at the United Nations, 9/11 Memorial and Madison Square Garden. Relive the day in our new photo gallery.

NEW YORK CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis on Friday had a brief, but urgent, reminder for the Catholics of New York City. They must proclaim the joy of God and remember to care for all those who go unnoticed in their metropolis, because they have seen the "great light" of Jesus Christ.

NEW YORK CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - Pope Francis said Mass at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday, Sept. 25. Please find below the full text of the Holy Father's homily:

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - Sophie Cruz travelled from Los Angeles, across the United States, with her father and two uncles to try to hand a letter Pope Francis this week. Her dream came true on Wednesday when the popemobile stopped for the child, and she was given the most tender embrace of the day.

"Three Buffalo bishops walk into a cathedral" isn't the beginning of a joke, but it's what happened Thursday night when Pope Francis arrived in New York City. See how the Big Apple is reacting to the Holy Father in our new photo gallery.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - Read the full text of Pope Francis' address to the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 25, 2015, here:

NEW YORK CITY (CNA/EWTN News) - On Friday Pope Francis told members of the United Nations that there is no room for "ideological colonization" in their agenda, and stressed the need to go beyond policies to concrete solutions in caring for the poor and vulnerable, as well as the environment.

WASHINGTON, DC (CNA/EWTN News) - Please find below the full text of Pope Francis' Sept. 24 address to members of the United States Congress: