VATICAN CITY - Deploring war, civil conflict and poverty around the world, Pope Benedict XVI told foreign ambassadors assembled at the Vatican that peace-building requires charity, religious liberty, a proper understanding of human rights and openness to divine love.

VATICAN CITY - In their task of leading people to the light of Christ, bishops must have the courage to face opposition and peacefully stand firm in the truth, Pope Benedict XVI said.

VATICAN CITY - The mothers of priests and seminarians deserve the thanks of the whole church for raising their sons in the faith and supporting them in their vocations, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy.

VATICAN CITY - Welcoming in the new year, Pope Benedict XVI said that despite the injustice and violence in the world, every human being yearns for and is made for peace.

VATICAN CITY - Fortunetelling, like all occult practices, is strictly taboo at the Vatican; and prophecy is a rare gift among journalists. But Pope Benedict XVI's calendar for 2013 is already filling up with planned, probable or possible events. Here are 10 to watch for in the news during the coming year.

Below is the text of the annual Christmas message issued by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

TORONTO - As a priest-chaplain at TorontoöÏÓãÊÓƵapp St. MichaelöÏÓãÊÓƵapp Hospital, people often want to know what itöÏÓãÊÓƵapp like to spend Christmas in a hospital community.

TORONTO - Since the early 1970s parishioners at downtown TorontoöÏÓãÊÓƵapp St. Francis of Assisi parish have honoured their namesake and Jesus Christ with a life-sized Nativity scene. 

JERUSALEM - The simmering smell of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in Catholic parishes

TORONTO - The Buffalo Bills have been coming to play at TorontoöÏÓãÊÓƵapp Rogers Centre for the past five years, and each year the archdiocese of Toronto has done its part to make the players feel at home.