The pope invited everyone to pray for all prisoners in the world, and that prisons focus on rehabilitation.

Archbishop Wester: "Countless nonprofits and civic organizations work to fill food baskets, but some legislators want to take food out of another basket, the grocery basket, with their proposed food tax."

"The week serves as both a time for prayer and action to highlight the contributions of immigrants and vulnerable populations coming to the United States."

Christians must visit the manger, Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo said.

The bill will improve U.S. religious freedom diplomacy efforts globally; better train and equip diplomats to counter extremism; address anti-Semitism and religious persecution and mitigate sectarian conflict.

The bishops will be ready to respond to any executive orders and legislation that the new Congress and President-elect Donald J. Trump may introduce.

State lawmakers passed a measure to ban abortions in the state after 20 weeks after approving legislation that would ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

The bishop said contemporary society was "showered with random data" and often showed a "frightening superficiality towards moral issues."