Pope Francis expressed his condolences for the death of the 41st president of the United States, George H.W. Bush.

Donations to enter the contest begin at $10.

It is not easy living with cancer, but there is always some kind of victory that awaits each person on the horizon, Pope Francis told young oncology patients from Poland.

Such discussions must never become "a public controversy with attacks that end up calling into question the credibility of the church and her mission," the cardinal said.

Addiction is "a net" people can fall into during "a moment of weakness, of depression. It is very easy for one to fall. But it is also a net that can be torn away," said Msgr. Segundo Tejado Munoz.

"We Christians cannot stand with arms folded in indifference" or thrown up in the air in helpless resignation, the pope said in his homily Nov. 18, the World Day of the Poor.

As workers were getting St. Peter's Square ready for this year's Nativity scene, nearby a large mobile health care facility was set up and running to serve the city's homeless and poor.

"Unfortunately, in many countries where people do not have normal access to safe drinking water," what is not lacking "is the supply of weapons and ammunition, which continue to deteriorate the situation," the pope said in a message published Nov. 8.

The true meaning and purpose of wealth is to use it to lovingly serve others and promote human dignity, the Pope said Nov. 7 during his weekly general audience.

"Good politics is at the service of peace" will be the theme for the Jan. 1 commemoration and for the message Pope Francis will write for the occasion.