Pope to bishops: Be creative about families' needs

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has called for a creative, humble approach as the Vatican ponders why many in the Catholic Church have gone their own way on sexual and family issues like contraception, pre-marital sex and divorce.

A Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday opened a two-week meeting of 200 cardinals and bishops from around the world, who know that many in their flock, despite considering themselves Catholic, defy church teaching on sexual matters. The most contentious issues include bans on artificial birth control and on Communion for divorced faithful who remarry.