The world famous Nativity scenes of Naples never follow just the biblical account of Jesus’ birth; for one thing, the figures usually are dressed in 18th-century costumes, but also it’s not unusual for a modern-day politician or even pope to enter the scene.

Seeing a protest sign in St. Peter’s Square that read “The poor cannot wait,” Pope Francis urged individuals and government leaders to recognize the pain, struggles and rights of families — like Jesus, Mary and Joseph — who do not have a home.

With lots of kisses, but very few words, Pope Francis spent more than two-and-a-half hours visiting sick children, their parents and doctors at Rome’s Bambino Gesu children’s hospital Dec. 21.

Chicago artist Jason Seiler, who created the illustration of Pope Francis for Time magazine’s Person of the Year cover, said his goal was to convey his impression of the pontiff as a genuine, compassionate spiritual leader.

South Sudan’s Christian leaders reiterated their statement that the capital’s recent violence was political, not ethnic. For two consecutive days, the leaders of the nation’s Christian churches issued a joint statement urging the government and political leaders to protect the nation’s citizens and to remain calm and not incite violence.

The Catholic Church in Russia predicted a “steady improvement” in ties with the predominant Orthodox Church after a visit by Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council fort Promoting Christian Unity.

Church initiatives to promote peace among Kenya’s Turkana and Pokot communities are vital to easing simmering conflicts over recently discovered oil deposits and continuing tensions over grazing lands and access to water, said the apostolic nuncio to the East Africa nation.

Catholic leaders in the Central African Republic spoke of a humanitarian crisis and criticized attempts to fuel interreligious clashes in their nation.

The global “wave of prayer” to eradicate hunger reached the U.S. Capitol with participants in an interfaith prayer service asking God to guide all people to better see and understand the needs of people living in poverty.

Helping restore the roof of the Church of the Nativity is like touching a piece of the beginning of Christian history, said an Italian restorer who is heading work on the first phase of the long-awaited repairs.