Samuel Ruiz García, right, known as the champion of the poor and indigenous in southern Mexico, died on Jan. 24

Pope Benedict deplored recent attacks on Christians in Iraq, Egypt and Nigeria.

“We commend to God those who have died,” said Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S.C.C.B., “and we pray for the families who lost loved ones."

A wide array of Catholics played a major role in getting the new START agreement with Russia ratified. 

"The truth about violations of international human rights and humanitarian law ... must be publicly acknowledged," the Sri Lankan bishop of Mannar told a special government commission.

Christians in the Holy Land face "two extremisms," said one observer: "the Muslim one.. and the Israeli right wing."