News/International

Residents carry the coffin of a victim of Typhoon Bopha Dec. 6 past a house destroyed by the typhoon in New Bataan, Philippines. Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Philippines planned to begin distributing basic necessities to 1,250 families as soon as possible.

Damage in Philippines from typhoon looks like tsunami hit, CRS rep says

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WASHINGTON - The destruction from Typhoon Bopha in portions of Mindanao in the southern Philippines is worse than feared as rescue workers continued to discover bodies under knee-deep mud, said a Catholic Relief Services official coordinating the agency's storm response.

Nuns walk by the Vatican's Christmas tree as it's positioned in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Dec. 6. The tree is a 78-foot silver fir from the southern Italian region of Molise.

Vatican Nativity scene sets Holy Family in rock-hewn grottos of Matera

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VATICAN CITY - Christmas in St. Peter's Square this year has a particularly southern Italian flavor with a towering tree from the Molise region and a Nativity scene donated by the Basilicata region.

Msgr. Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, secretary of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, is pictured at the council's office at the Vatican Dec. 5. Msgr. Dal Toso said new rules issued by Pope Benedict XVI for the governance of Catholic charities will not prevent s uch charities from accepting government funding, so long as the funding does not entail conditions that conflict with church teaching.

New charity rules don't forbid state funding, Vatican official says

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VATICAN CITY - New rules issued by Pope Benedict XVI for the governance of Catholic charities will not prevent such charities from accepting government funding,

Children run along a street with rubble from buildings damaged by what activists said was a government airstrike in the Aleppo, Syria, Dec. 5. Middle East bishops and patriarchs say the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is key to peace throu ghout region.

Palestinian question key to Mideast peace, say Catholic leaders

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VATICAN CITY - At the end of a three-day meeting in Lebanon, the Catholic patriarchs and bishops of the Middle East said peace in the region will be impossible without a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A man cleans his sofa outside of his destroyed house after Typhoon Bopha hit Compostela Valley, southern Philippines, Dec. 5. At least 300 people died in the powerful storm, which also left hundreds missing as relief workers tried to reach communities cu t off by floods and mudslides.

CRS, Caritas Philippines ready to speed relief to thousands after storm

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WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As thousands of Philippine families remained in shelters, Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Philippines prepared to speed household supplies and water to eastern sections of Mindanao affected by powerful Typhoon Bopha.

Pope Benedict XVI delivers a blessing during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 5.

Advent is time to renew faith, bring God's love to others, pope says

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VATICAN CITY - Advent's liturgical preparation for Christmas calls Christians to renew their faith in the reality of God's great love and to make a commitment to bringing his love to the world today, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Pro-life demonstrators hold signs during a candlelight vigil outside the Irish parliament in Dublin Dec. 4, calling on the government not to introduce abortion legislation. A crowd estimated at 8,000 people gathered to call on Irish Prime Minister Enda K enny to keep a pledge made in 2011 not to introduce abortion legislation.

Thousands gather to urge Ireland not to introduce abortion bill

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DUBLIN - Thousands of pro-life demonstrators held a candlelight vigil outside the Irish parliament Dec. 4, calling on the government not to introduce abortion legislation.

Blessed Devasahayam Pillai

Newly beatified Indian lay martyr praised for refusing to reject faith

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BANGALORE, India - The life of Blessed Devasahayam Pillai, an 18th-century Catholic layman who was martyred for refusing to refute his faith despite being brutally tortured, was held up as an example for all Christians to embrace.

Archbishop Claudio Celli, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, said the Vatican has sent out requests for media of "local events celebrating the Year of Faith" for the new "Pope App"

Papal events, Vatican webcam feeds streamed live with new 'Pope App'

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VATICAN CITY - The Vatican is offering a new app that provides live streaming of papal events and video feeds from the Vatican's six webcams.

Cardinal Peter Turkson said that the agenda for the plenary session would include the topic of global financial governance as a response to the world financial crisis.

Pope calls for world authority as 'moral force'

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VATICAN CITY - The world authority envisioned by two popes as a way to ensure global peace and justice would not be a superpower, but primarily a moral force with limited jurisdiction, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Pope Benedict XVI issued new rules to strengthen the religious identity of Catholic charities and ensure that their activities conform to church teaching

Pope makes new rules to strengthen charities' Catholic identity

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VATICAN CITY - Warning that Catholic charitable activity must not become "just another form of organized social assistance," Pope Benedict XVI issued new rules to strengthen the religious identity of Catholic charities and ensure that their activities conform to church teaching.

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