European finance experts said the Vatican has addressed "most of the technical deficiencies in its legislation and regulations... However, there is a need now for the anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing system to deliver effective results in terms of prosecutions, convictions and confiscation" of criminal assets.

"In my parish, people are not happy. They worry about employment and housing and pensions for the retired, and they fear these things aren't going to get the same attention in the new government as they did in the old government [of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner]," said Jesuit Father Rafael Velasco.

Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal urged moderate celebrations of Christmas this year because of the current political situation, but he also called for an end to the arms trade.In his Dec. 16 Christmas message, he urged a more spiritual holiday celebration and also encouraged all parishes to turn off the C

Building peace, he said, is not accomplished by words alone, but through the grace of God.

Catholic activists had lobbied for the inclusion of human rights protections and lowering the threshold for the earth's temperatures to be more in line with scientific research. They also advocated for adequate financing for poor countries to adapt to cleaner energy, and the phasing out of fossil fuels.

As Catholics and other Christians anticipate "the miracle of Christmas," announcing the need for peace and goodwill throughout the world this "blessed season of Advent" calls for "even stronger voices" this year.