"Your work, your passion, your commitment helped make the difference," President Obama said.

A priest identified only as Father Joseph admitted his church needed to mobilize the faithful to care for migrant workers.

“Our purpose is to call an end to the siege of Gaza, to this illegal collective punishment of the whole civilian population,” said the expedition’s organizer.

According to the postulator for the sainthood of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, her cause is “still waiting for one more miracle.”

The grants are specifically designated for programs that provide a voice for fishermen and the communities affected by the spill.

Pope Benedict XVI met last month with the first ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Vatican.