Simbang Gabi speaks to the central place that Christmas holds in the Filipino imagination.

Martial law in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao, originally aimed at quelling a terrorist attack in Marawi in May, has been extended for another year.

While diplomats and advocates weigh in on the crisis, Catholic Relief Services in Bangladesh, supporting the local Caritas office, is responding with humanitarian assistance, delivering food and critical survival supplies to thousands of Rohingya families.

The call came just before the U.S. and South Korea opened a massive joint military air exercise Dec. 4.

Pope Francis answered questions about avoiding the use of the word "Rohingya" while in Myanmar, during his flight back to Rome this evening.