The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are opposed to the bill—even with a newly added amendment aimed at attracting Republican support—saying it is a dire threat to religious liberty.

The centuries-old silver fir tree that had been destined to become the centerpiece Christmas decoration in St. Peter’s Square will now live, perhaps to see another century.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services was elected Nov. 15 to a three-year term as president of the U.S.C.C.B. during the bishops’ fall general assembly in Baltimore.

The March for Life will take place Jan. 20, but the Washington archdiocese has canceled the Youth Rally and Mass for Life, which have taken place ahead of every march for more than 25 years.

The mission of a seminary “is not to form ‘supermen’ who pretend to know and control everything,” but to help seminarians become priests who are humble servants, Pope Francis said.

Homosexuals have a right to church support and blessing, said Bishop Helmut Dieser, who is the spokesman on abuse issues for the German bishops’ conference.