BANGKOK – Cardinal-designate Louis-Marie Ling Mangkhanekhoun, who will become the first cardinal from Laos, is an ethnic Khmu, a hill tribe from northern Laos and southern China.

UNITED NATIONS – Migration should be "a choice rather than something forced or involuntary," said Philippine Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations.

MANILA, Philippines – Gunmen claiming to have links with the Islamic State group threatened to kill hostages, including a Catholic priest, who were taken from the southern Philippine city of Marawi May 23.

WASHINGTON – Tens of thousands of Haitians enrolled under the Temporary Protected Status program can stay in the United States until at least January.

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chavez dedicated his appointment as El Salvador's first Catholic cardinal to his longtime friend and mentor, Blessed Oscar Romero, a slain archbishop who has come to symbolize the small Central American country's fight for justice.

VATICAN CITY – Like parish priests throughout Italy do during the Easter season, Pope Francis spent an afternoon May 19 going door-to-door and blessing homes.

HONG KONG – Every evening, no matter how busy or tired she may be, Yiu reads the Bible at home to her 7-year-old granddaughter. Sometimes, parishioners from Changzhi Diocese in north-central China's Shanxi province, come and join her, reports ucanews.com.

SYDNEY – Public prosecutors have submitted recommendations to Victoria Police on whether to try Australian Cardinal George Pell on decades-old abuse allegations, but their advice has not been made public.

MEXICO CITY – A priest was stabbed at the altar while celebrating Mass May 15 in Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral.

PANAMA CITY – A logo depicting symbols for Mary, Panama and the Panama Canal was selected as the winning design to promote World Youth Day 2019.