It is important "to find the courage and the humility" to ask others for spiritual help, Pope Francis said at his general audience today (full text, short video, full video). The Holy See is not concerned about reports that US National Security Agency (NSA) spied on the Vatican during this year's conclave, a spokesman has said (original Italian report). More than 3,000 men and women religious leave consecrated life every year, a Vatican official has noted. Archbishop Charles Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, argues that "the experience of mercy is in the DNA of the papacy". John Allen tells Kathryn Jean Lopez which modern martyrs Christians absolutely must know about. Elie Hall captures the moment a boy refused to leave Pope Francis's side. And Fr James Martin SJ discusses the art of civility with atheist magician Penn Jillette (video). Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day.