Religion

Monsignor Krzysztof Charamsa appeared at a news conference with his partner. In an interview he called the Church's stance on homosexuality "backwards."

A day before his private meeting with controversial Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, Pope Francis met with his friend from Argentina at the Vatican Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Responding to a flood of interest, the Vatican says the private meeting shouldn't be seen as an endorsement of all of Davis' views.

The Vatican is acknowledging the meeting took place. Davis, who has refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, says she met the pope at the Vatican Embassy in Washington.

Francis also told bishops at a morning meeting that "I commit to a careful oversight to ensure that youth are protected."

The pontiff's six-day visit to the U.S. came to an end at Philadelphia International Airport, where he met Vice President Biden and delivered a brief farewell to the American cities that hosted him.