POPE URGES ACTION TO PROTECT AMAZON

Pope Francis has urged Roman Catholic Church leaders to make bold changes to better protect the Amazon and its Indigenous people at the start of a threeweek meeting that could become one of the most controversial moments in his papacy.

The Pope celebrated an opening Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica Sunday, where he criticized a “new colonialism” that puts profit ahead of protecting the environment. He prayed that God’s “daring prudence” would inspire religious representatives to spread the Catholic faith while remaining open to change.

One of the most contentious topics of the synod is whether to allow married men considered leaders in their local communities to become priests.