“As the legislation moves forward, the Archdiocese of Washington will continue its dialogue with the council,” said Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the archdiocese.

“It is inconceivable that with more than 100 world leaders gathered together in one room...they have failed to commit themselves to adequate and binding obligations," said the secretary general of Cidse.

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard, the chair of the committee, called for the development of "specific criteria" for troop withdrawal.

"We shall discover the meaning of Christmas in a quiet way and hope for the return of harmony and peace,” said Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore.

“I think he’s making a tragic and horrible mistake,” said David Robinson, head of Pax Christi USA.

The Senate bill "should not move forward in its current form," the heads of three committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said on Dec. 19.