They allege that “Vatican officials tolerate and enable the systematic and widespread concealing of rape and child sex crimes throughout the world.”

An estimated 73 percent of the population in affected areas say that they will have access to food for less than two months.

The suffering in Gaza remains widespread despite the easing of the Israeli blockade in 2010, say U.N. and church officials.

Archbishop José Gómez called upon the Obama administration and Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform

The bishop of Sendai, a region hard hit by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, has outlined the diocese’s reconstruction efforts.

The Vatican forcefully denied undermining efforts by Irish bishops to protect children from sexual abuse.