The prayer service at the famous Gothic cathedral was Pope Leo’s first meeting with the Catholic Church of Paris during his Sept. 25-28 visit to France.

A new report by the Institute for Family Studies found that church attendance is correlated with happy, fulfilling marriages but urges parishes to increase support for big families.

Catholic relief convoy attacked in Ethiopia, Kazakhstan abolishes death penalty, South African archbishop condemns killing of nine women, and more in this week’s Catholic world news roundup.