As thousands of pilgrims streamed through the neighborhood of Las Acacias en route to the World Day Youth vigil, those from Nicaragua and Venezuela received special cheers and applause as they carried the flags of their respective countries.

While hundreds of vendors sold water to the thirsty, the Muslim community at the oldest mosque in Panama City gave it away for free near a banner that said, "Welcome Pilgrim Friends."

One of World Youth Day's first event focused on the plight of populations most of the world rarely sees or comes across: the indigenous.

Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl, Washington's retired archbishop, apologized Jan. 15 for what he called a "lapse of memory," clarifying that he knew of at least one abuse allegation against former U.S. Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, but he had "forgotten" about it.

Many are asking why McCarrick was allowed to ascend the hierarchical church ladder when some in church circles had reported questionable behavior to the Vatican.

Lawmakers voted late Jan. 3 to keep Jesuit Father Patrick J. Conroy, the 60th chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, in the post for the next two years.

The year may be coming to an end but the battles on the immigration front promise to continue well into 2019 and beyond.

Many worried, however, that just like the government shutdown, periodic acts aimed against migrants would continue, and they urged politicians to put their differences aside to find lasting solutions to stem the flow and the danger posed to human beings who face the consequences of policy.

Felipe Alonzo Gomez of Guatemala is the second child identified as dying while under detention by U.S. border authorities in December.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet have said that they will offer full restitution in response to the embezzlement by two of their members in the school in which they worked.