In this 2016 file photo, a woman in San Francisco de Yare, Venezuela, rests on a couch in her home while she recovers from a sterilization surgery. The Catholic Church teaches that sterilization is morally unacceptable, but a hysterectomy could be morally acceptable if the uterus could not sustain a pregnancy, said the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Hysterectomy can be morally acceptable in limited situations, Vatican says

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VATICAN – The Catholic Church teaches that sterilization is morally unacceptable, but a hysterectomy could be morally acceptable if the uterus could not sustain a pregnancy, said the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The Holy Family by Jacques Stella

God's Word on Sunday: Being a child of God is a journey of faith

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Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Dec. 30 (Year C) 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28; Psalm 84; 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24; Luke 2:41-52

Pope Francis delivers his Christmas blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 25.

Urbi et Orbi: Incarnation of Christ tells us that salvation comes through love, acceptance, Pope says

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VATICAN – Delivering his formal Christmas message and blessing, Pope Francis prayed for a world where all people would recognize that they are brothers and sisters and would work for justice and for peace.
Mary and Joseph on the Way to Bethlehem (1475) by Hugo van der Goes

God's Word on Sunday: God only asks for our obedience and trust

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Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 23 (Year C) Micah 5:2-5a; Psalm 80; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45

Pope Francis greets a boy during an audience to exchange Christmas greetings with Vatican employees in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 21.

Jesus is the greatest Christmas gift, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN – This Christmas will people go to adore and be amazed by Jesus, or will they let themselves be detoured by distractions? Pope Francis asked.
Parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Toronto take part in the Simbang Gabi festivities that accompany a traditional Filipino Christmas.

Simbang Gabi adds Filipino flare to feast

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In December 2011 Fr. John Sullivan discovered what Christmas means in the Philippines.

Pope Francis greets a child as he arrives to lead his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Dec. 19.

Christmas is not just a cozy holiday but a chance to turn tables, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN – Christmas will not be authentic if people get caught up in a frenzy of shopping, presents and meals, all while ignoring the poor and forgetting who the celebration is really all about, Pope Francis said.
Bishop Lionel Gendron of Saint-Jean-Longueuil, Quebec, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Live Christmas as revelation of Light, Bishop Gendron says

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The following is the Christmas message released by Bishop Lionel Gendron, Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil and president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

An audience member holds a figurine of baby Jesus as Pope Francis leads his Sunday Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Dec. 16.

A true Christmas celebrates Baby Jesus, who is tender, humble, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN – With Christmas just over a week away, visitors came to St. Peter's Square with their Baby Jesus figurines for a traditional blessing by the Pope.
Pope Francis waves as he leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square Dec. 9 at the Vatican.

Let's think of our own conversion to sow peace this Advent, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN – Advent is a time for people to think about what they can change about themselves so that they can sow the seeds of peace, justice and fraternity in their daily lives, Pope Francis said.
Nuns and others stand next to a photograph of Bishop Pierre Claverie at his grave in St. Mary's Cathedral, where a vigil was held, in Oran, Algeria, Dec. 7. The vigil was to prepare for the Dec. 8 beatification of Bishop Claverie and a group of 18 others, who were martyred in the course of the Algerian civil war.

Algerian martyrs bear witness to Christian-Muslim peace, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN – The lives of 19 religious men and women martyred during the Algerian civil war are a testament to God's plan of love and peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, Pope Francis said.
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