Pope Benedict deplored recent attacks on Christians in Iraq, Egypt and Nigeria.
A new survey documents the problem of migrants being preyed up on as they travel to Mexico. Critics allege it undercounts the number of victims.
“We commend to God those who have died,” said Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S.C.C.B., “and we pray for the families who lost loved ones."
Brazil's bishops launched a campaign to aid victims of severe flooding that has left more than 500 people dead.
A wide array of Catholics played a major role in getting the new START agreement with Russia ratified.
The U.N. estimates that 810,000 people are still living in 1,150 camps in Haiti, just over half the peak of 1.5 million in July 2010.
"The truth about violations of international human rights and humanitarian law ... must be publicly acknowledged," the Sri Lankan bishop of Mannar told a special government commission.