"Even when the powers of hell are unleashed, Christians must rise to the summons, their heads held high, and be ready to brave blows in this battle over which God will have the last word. And that word will be love and peace," the pope said in an evening homily Nov. 29 at Bangui's cathedral.

Under the Vatican criminal code, it is a crime to take, distribute and publish confidential documents. The Vatican said that if any of the five are not present on Nov. 24, they would be tried in absentia.

Governors and other politicians are not responding reasonably by calling for a “pause,” even the termination of efforts to resettle Syrian refugees.

"We are approaching Christmas," the pope said, and soon everywhere "there will be lights, decorated trees, even Nativity scenes," but if they are not signs of faith in Jesus and a commitment to following him, then it is "all fake."

The Refugee Resettlement Program program — which relies mostly on faith-based organizations to find homes, jobs and schools for refugees — is under attack, a casualty of the Islamic State group’s assaults on Paris Nov. 13 that killed 132 people.

"Producing or using pornography is gravely wrong. It is a mortal sin if it is committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent. Unintentional ignorance and factors that compromise the voluntary and free character of the act can diminish a person's moral culpability," says the approved version of "Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography."