The Vatican is pushing back against whistleblower reports about problematic work conditions at its U.N. mission in New York under its former ambassador.

“Refugee protection has been politicized...and refugees have been denigrated in our public debate.”

Abolishing the death penalty worldwide would reflect the brave and hope-filled belief that crime can be dealt with without capital punishment and that a criminal should be given the chance to reform, a top Vatican diplomat told world leaders.

Robert George, a professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University, suggested in a Sept. 20 talk that although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights doesn't mention this, its demand for respect for human dignity should even extend to the unborn.

The need for universal health care coverage was a major topic at the World Health Assembly meeting.

"Women are selling their bodies to the Blue Helmets out of desperation," said Bishop Juan Aguirre Munoz of Bangassou.