The legislation would have strengthened the ban on dismemberment abortions and abortions from the 20th week on during a pregnancy.

A regulation that bars nonprofits and houses of worship from making political endorsements remains on the books after it was dropped from the Republican tax reform bill.

The Knights of Columbus also has earmarked money for upcoming church repair efforts in Puerto Rico.

The open letter was signed by 20 Catholic bishops along with Lutheran, Anglican, Greek Orthodox, Presbyterian, Southern Baptist, Muslim, Orthodox and other Christian leaders.

The lawsuits aim to take away the exemption granted in October to the Little Sisters of the Poor and other religious employers allowing them to refuse to cover contraceptives for their employees on moral grounds.

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.

"Friends, as the wildfires continue, the needs of our neighbors continue to increase." —Archbishop Gomez

The pope sent the cardinal to the hurricane-battered island to make a visit before Christmas to express his deep concern for the people.

The pope wants to to clear up the confusion around the phrase “lead us not into temptation.”

News reports said that flames prompted evacuation orders for nearly 200,000 people, destroyed nearly 200 homes and remained mostly out control as of early Dec. 6. To date, officials had reported no fatalities.