Vatican City, Dec 10, 2014 / 12:42 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In his message for the 2015 World Day of Peace, released on Wednesday, Pope Francis has called for a global effort of fraternity rather than indifference to combat slavery and human trafficking.

Vatican City, Dec 10, 2014 / 08:26 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his weekly general audience Pope Francis started a new catechesis on the family, and explained that discussion surrounding the topic in the synod of bishops is rooted in the fundamental truths of marriage.

“Dear Brothers and Sisters, this morning we begin a new series of catechesis devoted to the family,” the Pope told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Dec. 10 general audience.

Vatican City, Dec 10, 2014 / 12:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Jorge Maria Mejìa, a former prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library and a longtime friend of Pope Francis, died on Tuesday Dec. 9.

The Pope had been visiting the cardinal since the very first days of his pontificate and had administered the Anointing of the Sick three times.

Vatican City, Dec 9, 2014 / 01:08 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Rather than being called by his papal name “Benedict XVI,” the retired pontiff revealed that since his retirement he has wanted to return to his original priestly title and be called simply “Father Benedict.”

Father Benedict made his comments in a private conversation with journalist Jorg Bremer, who published bits of them in a Dec. 7 article for German newspaper F.A.Z.