Local bishops say 'ad limina' meeting strengthens their bond with pope

Pope Francis leads a meeting with U.S. bishops from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican Dec. 12, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Pope Francis talks with Cardinal Cupich during the meeting Dec. 12. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

Left, Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Wypych processes into Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome Dec. 10, 2019. (CNS photo/Carol Glatz)

From right, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry, Cardinal Cupich and other U.S. bishops from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin concelebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome Dec. 10. (CNS photo/Carol Glatz)

Third from left, Auxiliary Bishops Ron Hicks and Robert Casey concelebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome Dec. 10, 2019. (CNS photo/Carol Glatz)

Front row center, Auxiliary Bishop Alberto Rojas concelebrates Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome Dec. 10, 2019. Behind him on right is Auxiliary Bishop Mark Bartosic. Behind him on left is Auxiliary Bishop George Rassas. (CNS photo/Carol Glatz)

Cardinal Cupich, bottom right, joins the bishops in praying at the tomb of St. Paul after concelebrating Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome Dec. 10, 2019. (CNS photo/Carol Glatz)

Front right, Cardinal Cupich and Auxiliary Bishop Alberto Rojas concelebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome Dec. 10, 2019. Behind them, from right are Auxiliary Bishops John Manz and Mark Bartosic. (CNS photo/Paul Haring

From right, Auxiliary Bishops Andrew Wypych and John Manz are pictured at the start of a meeting with U.S. bishops from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin with Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, at the offices of the dicastery in Rome Dec. 9, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)