At the Vatican, Pope Francis brought his special Year of Mercy to a close but said the Catholic Church must continue to focus on the poor and doing acts of kindness. He said he was extending mercy by formally giving all priests the authority to grant forgiveness to women who have had an abortion. Previously, only bishops could absolve what the church calls “the grave sin” of abortion. Last weekend, Francis also elevated 17 new cardinals from six continents, including three Americans. During the ceremony, he cautioned against those who “raise walls, build barriers, and label people.”