1.   The pontiff called for an end to the death penalty and clemency for a convicted murderer in Missouri who was awaiting execution.

2.   During that pilgrimage, the pontiff called for an end to the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba.

3.   Ever since U.S.-led military strikes started in October, the pontiff has repeatedly called for an end to violence in the country.

4.   The pontiff called both for greater openness in Cuba and indirectly criticized the U.S. embargo of the Caribbean nation.

5.   The pontiff has called repeatedly for peace in Zaire and international aid for refugees there and elsewhere in Africa.

6.   The pontiff called both for greater openness in Cuba and indirectly criticized the three-decade-old U.S. embargo of the Caribbean nation.

7.   The pontiff has repeatedly called for peace in the region, urging an end to the conflict in five-consecutive Sunday addresses, including his Easter message.

8.   The pontiff called for people to recognise and rediscover the mystery of the creation of life.