VATICAN CITY – As a military operation in northern Iraq fights to wrest control of areas held by retaliating Islamic State forces, Pope Francis criticized the "cruelty" and heinous violence waged against innocent civilians.

NEW YORK – Protecting Christianity and religious pluralism in the Middle East and respecting the rights of all would open the path to peace in the region, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said at a dinner in New York Oct. 12.

NEW YORK – The Archdiocese of New York has initiated a voluntary Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program to promote healing and serve as a "tangible sign of the church's outreach and reparation" by providing compensation to victim-survivors of sexual abuse as minors by clergy of the archdiocese.

OSLO, Norway – Even though the people of Colombia rejected the terms of a peace accord ending more than 50 years of civil war, the Nobel committee chose Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos as winner of the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize.

KINSHASA, Congo – The Catholic Church has pulled out of a national dialogue in Congo.

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine bishops' conference president has lamented "the slow erosion of Filipino values" as the Southeast Asian archipelago presses on with its war on drugs that has killed thousands.

LOS ANGELES – The remake of "Ben-Hur," the cable-TV drama "Ray Donovan" and the documentary series "The Story of God" were named winners of the 2016 Catholics in Media Awards, presented annually by Catholics in Media Associates.

IRBIL, Iraq – Chaldean Catholic bishops, meeting for their annual synod, pleaded for peace in the Middle East and for the liberation of areas seized by the Islamic State group so that the displaced can return to their homes.

LOS ANGELES – The California Catholic bishops are urging voters to support a November ballot initiative that would outlaw the death penalty.

CARTAGENA, Colombia – An agreement to end Latin America's last armed conflict is the start of a process of positive change for Colombia, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said hours before the government and Marxist rebels were set to sign peace accords Sept. 26.