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The Philippines is one of 10 countries with the most Catholics that account for almost 56 percent of the world's Catholic population, the Vatican reported.

Global Catholic population tops 1.28 billion; half are in 10 countries

VATICAN CITY – Taken together, the 10 countries with the most Catholics account for almost 56 per cent of the world's Catholic population, the Vatican reported.

In an April 5 decree, the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei gave permission for any priest of the Latin Rite to celebrate a votive Mass of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary on May 13, 2017 – the 100th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady at Fatima, Portugal.

Vatican approves special Fatima feast day Mass for Latin Rite

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican office which governs the use of the extraordinary form of the Roman rite has given priests permission to say a special Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Fatima this year, noting the importance of the apparition's centenary.

Pilgrims pray around a statue of Mary on Apparition Hill in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, in this Feb. 26, 2011, file photo.

Papal envoy praises 'spiritual climate' of Medjugorje

MEDJUGORJE, Bosnia-Herzegovina – While he said he had no authority or expertise to discuss the authenticity of the alleged apparitions of Mary at Medjugorje, Pope Francis' envoy to the town said it was clear "there is a special spiritual climate here."

Pope Francis greets Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi, director of the General Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, at the Vatican April 5, 2017.

Dialogue is essential, Pope Francis tells British Muslim leaders

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis met Wednesday with a delegation of Muslim leaders from Great Britain along with Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster to promote dialogue and collaboration following the deadly attack in London last month.

An injured man receives treatment inside a field hospital in Douma, Syria, after April 3 airstrikes. A suspected chemical attack in a town in Syria's rebel-held Idlib province killed dozens of people April 3.

Pope horrified by 'unacceptable massacre' in Syria

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis strongly condemned a shocking chemical attack in Syria that left some 70 people, including at least 10 children, dead.

Canadian Jesuit Father Michael Czerny told a conference that more must to be done to combat child trafficking.

More must be done to combat child trafficking, Vatican official says

VATICAN CITY – Children continue to fall victim to trafficking, while those who enslave and exploit them continue to avoid prosecution, a Vatican official said.

Pope Francis speaks April 4 to participants at a Vatican conference marking the 50th anniversary of Blessed Paul VI's encyclical on development, "Populorum Progressio." At left is Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

Manila Cardinal urges 'common security' approach to migration

VATICAN CITY – A more Christian, as well as more effective, approach to the global migration crisis would be to move from a concern about "national security" to a concern for "common security," Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila told participants at a Vatican conference.

A letter published by the Vatican April 4 says Pope Francis will allow Catholic bishops to appoint priests to assist at SSPX marriages and formally receive the consent of the couples.

Pope approves provisions to recognize marriages of SSPX faithful

VATICAN CITY – Continuing initiatives aimed at a reconciliation with the Society of St. Pius X, Pope Francis has made it possible for bishops to ensure the validity of marriages celebrated in the traditionalist communities.

Syrian refugees Ramy and Suhila and their children, Khodus, Rashid and Abdul Mejid, relax in Rome in 2016 after Pope Francis brought them with him from a refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece.

ISIS captive among new Syrian refugees welcomed by Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has taken in three new Syrian families, some members of which were ISIS prisoners before gaining freedom and fleeing the country.

A statue of Our Lady of Fatima is carried through a crowd in 2016 at the Marian shrine of Fatima in central Portugal.

Pope asks evangelization council to oversee Catholic shrines

VATICAN CITY – Highlighting Catholic shrines' potential to strengthen the faith of Catholics and draw people to Christianity, Pope Francis transferred responsibility for coordinating the activity of shrines to the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization.

Pope Francis speaks April 4 to participants at a Vatican conference marking the 50th anniversary of Blessed Paul VI's encyclical on development, "Populorum Progressio."

Development must focus on dignity, officials say on 'Populorum Progressio' anniversary.

VATICAN CITY – The Catholic Church's commitment to promoting justice, defending human dignity, building peace and promoting development is a response to a Christian vision of the world and its purpose, which ultimately is to reach happiness with God, Vatican officials said at a conference.

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