The 100-foot tree is a 100 years
old. The tree was to be felled,
to allow the growth of other
nearby trees and plants. The tree
will be decorated in Vatican
colors—gold and white.

Missionaries of Charity around the world marked the 12th anniversary of the death of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, looking to next year’s 100th
anniversary of her birth.

We are all called to exercise
responsible stewardship of
creation, to use resources in such
a way that every individual and
community can live with dignity,
and to develop “that covenant
between human beings and the
environment, which should mirror
the creative love of God.”

A fragment of the Biblical text considered to be one of the two most
ancient in the world, the Codex Sinaiticus, was discovered by chance
recently in St. Catherine’s monastery at the foot of Mt. Sinai in Egypt.

In the wake of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the Czech Republic recently, one cardinal said the historic trip has placed the Church at the center of
the country’s social life and has profoundly revitalized Catholics in a
country that is usually seen as “atheist and secularized.”

Benedict XVI’s message for the
next World Day of Peace, which
will be celebrated Jan. 1,
focuses on the connection
between protecting creation and
building peace.

Benedict XVI recently prayed for an end to the AIDS epidemic.He said
“my thoughts and my prayers go to all persons affected by this
sickness, in particular children, to the poorest and to those who
are rejected.”

North Korea claims to guarantee freedom of religion but severely restricts religious observance, genuine religious freedom dose not exist in the
country.

Benedict XVI went on to
emphasize that joy must be the
mark that distinguishes a
Christian who knows the will of
God, because this law is also an
expression of God’s friendship,
it is the word that frees, that
gives strength and purifies.

In a sign that the Chinese
government may be taking a step
toward ending its oppressive
one-child policy, authorities in
Shanghai encouraging thousands
of couples to have a second baby
to offset the graying of the
Chinese population.