(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Pope Francis is flanked by his spokesperson Matteo Bruni, left, as he addresses journalists during his flight from Rome to Maputo, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, where he will start his seven-day pastoral trip to Mozambique, Madagascar, and Mauritius. Pope Francis acknowledged his growing opposition within the conservative right-wing of the U.S. Catholic Church and said in off-hand remarks aboard the papal plane Wednesday it is "an honor if the Americans attack me."