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All rights reservedFri, 12 Jul 2013 11:48:41 -04005http://news.yahoo.com/religion/ http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/nws/th/main_142c.gif<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/vatican-freezes-funds-cleric-accused-over-cash-transfers-110547929.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/fmrzp9ZJ3oV_3GIuR35yXw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-12T124246Z_2_CBRE96B0UTS00_RTROPTP_2_POPE-SUCCESSION.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A man sheltering under an umbrella is reflected in a puddle at Saint Peter&#039;s Square as the conclave begins in order to elect a successor to Pope Benedict" align="left" title="A man sheltering under an umbrella is reflected in a puddle at Saint Peter&#039;s Square as the conclave begins in order to elect a successor to Pope Benedict" border="0" /></a>By James Mackenzie ROME (Reuters) - The Vatican said on Friday it had frozen funds belonging to a senior cleric at the center of a suspected money smuggling operation, and could open investigations into other individuals. Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, who has close links to the Vatican bank, was arrested last month, accused of plotting to bring millions of euros in cash into Italy from Switzerland for rich friends. Scarano&#039;s lawyer said his client, who is currently being held in Rome&#039;s Queen of Heaven jail, was prepared to cooperate fully with investigators. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/vatican-freezes-funds-cleric-accused-over-cash-transfers-110547929.htmlFri, 12 Jul 2013 11:48:41 -0400Reutersvatican-freezes-funds-cleric-accused-over-cash-transfers-110547929<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/vatican-freezes-funds-cleric-accused-over-cash-transfers-110547929.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/fmrzp9ZJ3oV_3GIuR35yXw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-12T124246Z_2_CBRE96B0UTS00_RTROPTP_2_POPE-SUCCESSION.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A man sheltering under an umbrella is reflected in a puddle at Saint Peter&#039;s Square as the conclave begins in order to elect a successor to Pope Benedict" align="left" title="A man sheltering under an umbrella is reflected in a puddle at Saint Peter&#039;s Square as the conclave begins in order to elect a successor to Pope Benedict" border="0" /></a>By James Mackenzie ROME (Reuters) - The Vatican said on Friday it had frozen funds belonging to a senior cleric at the center of a suspected money smuggling operation, and could open investigations into other individuals. Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, who has close links to the Vatican bank, was arrested last month, accused of plotting to bring millions of euros in cash into Italy from Switzerland for rich friends. Scarano&#039;s lawyer said his client, who is currently being held in Rome&#039;s Queen of Heaven jail, was prepared to cooperate fully with investigators. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/polish-parliament-shuns-religious-animal-125338721.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/WIYwnNiGy2EtPrsy3sQUTQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/images/US_AHTTP_AP_FINANCIALTIMES/2f6939db2fd34617370f6a706700a53d_original.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="Polish parliament shuns religious animal slaughter" align="left" title="Polish parliament shuns religious animal slaughter" border="0" /></a>Polish parliament&#039;s lower house has voted to reject a government plan to reinstate the religious slaughter of animals. Lawmakers rejected the divisive issue in a 222-178 vote Friday as 38 members of the ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/polish-parliament-shuns-religious-animal-125338721.htmlFri, 12 Jul 2013 08:53:38 -0400Associated Presspolish-parliament-shuns-religious-animal-125338721<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/polish-parliament-shuns-religious-animal-125338721.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/WIYwnNiGy2EtPrsy3sQUTQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/images/US_AHTTP_AP_FINANCIALTIMES/2f6939db2fd34617370f6a706700a53d_original.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="Polish parliament shuns religious animal slaughter" align="left" title="Polish parliament shuns religious animal slaughter" border="0" /></a>Polish parliament&#039;s lower house has voted to reject a government plan to reinstate the religious slaughter of animals. Lawmakers rejected the divisive issue in a 222-178 vote Friday as 38 members of the ...</p><br clear="all"/>The Vatican has frozen the assets of a monsignor who was arrested in a plot to smuggle 20 million euro ($26 million) into Italy and warned Friday that other people may be caught up in the investigation. ...http://news.yahoo.com/vatican-freezes-assets-arrested-monsignor-110230695.htmlFri, 12 Jul 2013 08:48:08 -0400Associated Pressvatican-freezes-assets-arrested-monsignor-110230695Vatican freezes assets of arrested monsignor, warns others may be involved in case.http://news.yahoo.com/vatican-freezes-assets-arrested-monsignor-warns-others-may-110329541.htmlFri, 12 Jul 2013 07:03:29 -0400Associated Pressvatican-freezes-assets-arrested-monsignor-warns-others-may-110329541<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/actress-leah-remini-leaves-church-scientology-022516266.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/VqLVSLQV8BkHSCuStgrlTw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-12T022516Z_1_CBRE96B06QH00_RTROPTP_2_CENTERTAINMENT-US-LEAHREMINI-SCIENTOLOGY.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A man walks past the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles building in Los Angeles" align="left" title="A man walks past the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles building in Los Angeles" border="0" /></a>By Piya Sinha-Roy LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actress Leah Remini has severed ties with the Church of Scientology, a source with knowledge of her decision said on Thursday, making her one of the most high-profile members to quit. Remini, best known for her role as Carrie Heffernan in the CBS sitcom &quot;King of Queens,&quot; issued a statement following press reports that she had decided to leave the church. &quot;I wish to share my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the overwhelming positive response I have received from the media, my colleagues, and fans from around the world. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/actress-leah-remini-leaves-church-scientology-022516266.htmlThu, 11 Jul 2013 22:57:58 -0400Reutersactress-leah-remini-leaves-church-scientology-022516266<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/actress-leah-remini-leaves-church-scientology-022516266.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/VqLVSLQV8BkHSCuStgrlTw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-12T022516Z_1_CBRE96B06QH00_RTROPTP_2_CENTERTAINMENT-US-LEAHREMINI-SCIENTOLOGY.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A man walks past the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles building in Los Angeles" align="left" title="A man walks past the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles building in Los Angeles" border="0" /></a>By Piya Sinha-Roy LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actress Leah Remini has severed ties with the Church of Scientology, a source with knowledge of her decision said on Thursday, making her one of the most high-profile members to quit. Remini, best known for her role as Carrie Heffernan in the CBS sitcom &quot;King of Queens,&quot; issued a statement following press reports that she had decided to leave the church. &quot;I wish to share my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the overwhelming positive response I have received from the media, my colleagues, and fans from around the world. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/court-rejects-religion-based-challenge-obamacare-171807516.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/e1Rcla_4elN38bUYiWOD0Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-11T203532Z_2_CBRE96A1G7R00_RTROPTP_2_USA-HEALTHCARE-EMPLOYERS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="File photo of an Obamacare pamphlet at a Tea Party rally in Littleton" align="left" title="File photo of an Obamacare pamphlet at a Tea Party rally in Littleton" border="0" /></a>By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Thursday rejected a Christian university&#039;s challenge to President Barack Obama&#039;s 2010 healthcare overhaul, which the school said unconstitutionally imposes costly burdens on large employers and infringes religious liberty. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, rejected Liberty University&#039;s argument that the law violated the constitution&#039;s Commerce Clause by forcing large employers to provide health insurance to full-time workers and violated First Amendment religious protections by subsidizing abortions. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/court-rejects-religion-based-challenge-obamacare-171807516.htmlThu, 11 Jul 2013 16:35:32 -0400Reuterscourt-rejects-religion-based-challenge-obamacare-171807516<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/court-rejects-religion-based-challenge-obamacare-171807516.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/e1Rcla_4elN38bUYiWOD0Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-11T203532Z_2_CBRE96A1G7R00_RTROPTP_2_USA-HEALTHCARE-EMPLOYERS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="File photo of an Obamacare pamphlet at a Tea Party rally in Littleton" align="left" title="File photo of an Obamacare pamphlet at a Tea Party rally in Littleton" border="0" /></a>By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Thursday rejected a Christian university&#039;s challenge to President Barack Obama&#039;s 2010 healthcare overhaul, which the school said unconstitutionally imposes costly burdens on large employers and infringes religious liberty. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, rejected Liberty University&#039;s argument that the law violated the constitution&#039;s Commerce Clause by forcing large employers to provide health insurance to full-time workers and violated First Amendment religious protections by subsidizing abortions. ...</p><br clear="all"/>VATICAN CITY (AP) ? Pope Francis is letting baptized Catholics join the new church structure created to receive Anglican converts.http://news.yahoo.com/pope-lets-catholics-join-anglican-converts-201858926.htmlThu, 11 Jul 2013 16:18:58 -0400Associated Presspope-lets-catholics-join-anglican-converts-201858926<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/northern-ireland-braces-protestant-marches-175110100.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/YPWCt8N1vvYBurgwr6PxRA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/4c857f3a11062f17370f6a7067005a67.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="A man adds the finishing touch to a huge bonfire in the New Mossley area on the outskirts of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 10, 2013. Hundreds of fires will be set alight at midnight, on July 11, as Protestant loyalist&#039;s celebrate July 12, to mark the defeat of the Catholic King James, by the Protestant William of Orange in 1690. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)" align="left" title="A man adds the finishing touch to a huge bonfire in the New Mossley area on the outskirts of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 10, 2013. Hundreds of fires will be set alight at midnight, on July 11, as Protestant loyalist&#039;s celebrate July 12, to mark the defeat of the Catholic King James, by the Protestant William of Orange in 1690. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)" border="0" /></a>BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) ? Northern Ireland leaders appealed for calm and police braced for trouble in advance of Friday&#039;s Protestant parades and bonfires on &quot;the Twelfth,&quot; an annual sectarian holiday that always inflames tensions with the Catholic minority.</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/northern-ireland-braces-protestant-marches-175110100.htmlThu, 11 Jul 2013 13:51:10 -0400Associated Pressnorthern-ireland-braces-protestant-marches-175110100<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/northern-ireland-braces-protestant-marches-175110100.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/YPWCt8N1vvYBurgwr6PxRA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/4c857f3a11062f17370f6a7067005a67.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="A man adds the finishing touch to a huge bonfire in the New Mossley area on the outskirts of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 10, 2013. Hundreds of fires will be set alight at midnight, on July 11, as Protestant loyalist&#039;s celebrate July 12, to mark the defeat of the Catholic King James, by the Protestant William of Orange in 1690. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)" align="left" title="A man adds the finishing touch to a huge bonfire in the New Mossley area on the outskirts of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Wednesday, July 10, 2013. Hundreds of fires will be set alight at midnight, on July 11, as Protestant loyalist&#039;s celebrate July 12, to mark the defeat of the Catholic King James, by the Protestant William of Orange in 1690. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)" border="0" /></a>BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) ? Northern Ireland leaders appealed for calm and police braced for trouble in advance of Friday&#039;s Protestant parades and bonfires on &quot;the Twelfth,&quot; an annual sectarian holiday that always inflames tensions with the Catholic minority.</p><br clear="all"/>COUDERSPORT, Pa. (AP) ? A former elementary school music teacher will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to fatally shooting his ex-wife ? also a music teacher ? while she played the organ during a church service in northern Pennsylvania last year.http://news.yahoo.com/pa-man-guilty-killing-organist-ex-church-133129980.htmlThu, 11 Jul 2013 13:49:19 -0400Associated Presspa-man-guilty-killing-organist-ex-church-133129980<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-criminalizes-leaks-sex-abuse-first-laws-122255811.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/dvaw_N8IRDrCngZpiDCAiQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3B4b2ZmPTUwO3B5b2ZmPTA7cT04NTt3PTEzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/33a09a30d259fb16360f6a70670073b4.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="ADDS INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHALICE. Pope Francis celebrates a Mass with a chalice made from recycled wood from broken migrant boats, during his visit to the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday July 8, 2013. Pope Francis traveled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea and celebrate Mass as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" align="left" title="ADDS INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHALICE. Pope Francis celebrates a Mass with a chalice made from recycled wood from broken migrant boats, during his visit to the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday July 8, 2013. Pope Francis traveled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea and celebrate Mass as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" border="0" /></a>VATICAN CITY (AP) ? Pope Francis overhauled the laws that govern the Vatican City State on Thursday, criminalizing leaks of Vatican information and specifically listing sexual violence, prostitution and possession of child pornography as crimes against children that can be punished by up to 12 years in prison.</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/pope-criminalizes-leaks-sex-abuse-first-laws-122255811.htmlThu, 11 Jul 2013 13:33:54 -0400Associated Presspope-criminalizes-leaks-sex-abuse-first-laws-122255811<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-criminalizes-leaks-sex-abuse-first-laws-122255811.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/dvaw_N8IRDrCngZpiDCAiQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3B4b2ZmPTUwO3B5b2ZmPTA7cT04NTt3PTEzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/33a09a30d259fb16360f6a70670073b4.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="ADDS INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHALICE. Pope Francis celebrates a Mass with a chalice made from recycled wood from broken migrant boats, during his visit to the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday July 8, 2013. Pope Francis traveled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea and celebrate Mass as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" align="left" title="ADDS INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHALICE. Pope Francis celebrates a Mass with a chalice made from recycled wood from broken migrant boats, during his visit to the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday July 8, 2013. Pope Francis traveled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea and celebrate Mass as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" border="0" /></a>VATICAN CITY (AP) ? Pope Francis overhauled the laws that govern the Vatican City State on Thursday, criminalizing leaks of Vatican information and specifically listing sexual violence, prostitution and possession of child pornography as crimes against children that can be punished by up to 12 years in prison.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-signals-concern-oversees-bank-reform-meeting-163741823.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/VGNkvsyiMzWl0ZO2DyBA.A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-11T163741Z_1_CBRE96A1A6X00_RTROPTP_2_CNEWS-US-POPE-IOR.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Pope Francis celebrates a mass during his visit at Lampedusa Island" align="left" title="Pope Francis celebrates a mass during his visit at Lampedusa Island" border="0" /></a>By Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis made it clear on Thursday that he would personally oversee reform of the troubled Vatican bank by attending the first meeting of an investigative commission he set up last month to shed light on its murky financial dealings. &quot;Francis wanted to be present to encourage the work of the commission,&quot; the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano said, adding that the meeting had taken place a day earlier. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/pope-signals-concern-oversees-bank-reform-meeting-163741823.htmlThu, 11 Jul 2013 12:37:41 -0400Reuterspope-signals-concern-oversees-bank-reform-meeting-163741823<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-signals-concern-oversees-bank-reform-meeting-163741823.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/VGNkvsyiMzWl0ZO2DyBA.A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-11T163741Z_1_CBRE96A1A6X00_RTROPTP_2_CNEWS-US-POPE-IOR.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Pope Francis celebrates a mass during his visit at Lampedusa Island" align="left" title="Pope Francis celebrates a mass during his visit at Lampedusa Island" border="0" /></a>By Steve Scherer ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis made it clear on Thursday that he would personally oversee reform of the troubled Vatican bank by attending the first meeting of an investigative commission he set up last month to shed light on its murky financial dealings. &quot;Francis wanted to be present to encourage the work of the commission,&quot; the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano said, adding that the meeting had taken place a day earlier. ...</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-targets-child-abuse-leaks-vatican-legal-155530516.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/M_Wvka_hx..CdBoHAqbmbA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-11T155530Z_1_CBRE96A188P00_RTROPTP_2_POPE-SUCCESSION-START.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Saint Peter&#039;s Basilica at the Vatican is silhouetted during sunset in Rome" align="left" title="Saint Peter&#039;s Basilica at the Vatican is silhouetted during sunset in Rome" border="0" /></a>By Catherine Hornby VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, acting to end years of scandals damaging the Catholic Church, overhauled Vatican law on Thursday to specify sexual violence against children as a crime and impose tough penalties for staff who leak confidential Vatican information. Issuing a &quot;Motu Proprio&quot;, a decree of his own initiative, Francis also said he would renew the Holy See&#039;s commitment to international conventions against organized crime and terrorism. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-targets-child-abuse-leaks-vatican-legal-155530516.htmlThu, 11 Jul 2013 11:55:30 -0400Reuterspope-francis-targets-child-abuse-leaks-vatican-legal-155530516<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-targets-child-abuse-leaks-vatican-legal-155530516.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/M_Wvka_hx..CdBoHAqbmbA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-11T155530Z_1_CBRE96A188P00_RTROPTP_2_POPE-SUCCESSION-START.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Saint Peter&#039;s Basilica at the Vatican is silhouetted during sunset in Rome" align="left" title="Saint Peter&#039;s Basilica at the Vatican is silhouetted during sunset in Rome" border="0" /></a>By Catherine Hornby VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, acting to end years of scandals damaging the Catholic Church, overhauled Vatican law on Thursday to specify sexual violence against children as a crime and impose tough penalties for staff who leak confidential Vatican information. Issuing a &quot;Motu Proprio&quot;, a decree of his own initiative, Francis also said he would renew the Holy See&#039;s commitment to international conventions against organized crime and terrorism. ...</p><br clear="all"/>Vatican officials announced Thursday that Pope Francis has bolstered legislation against child abuse within the grounds of the small city-state. At the same time, a United Nations committee has demanded that the church reveal its procedures for dealing with child abuse allegations.RECOMMENDED: How much do you know about the Catholic Church? Take our quiz!http://news.yahoo.com/pope-un-crack-down-church-child-abuse-142247697.htmlThu, 11 Jul 2013 10:22:47 -0400Christian Science Monitorpope-un-crack-down-church-child-abuse-142247697<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/vatican-broadens-child-abuse-crimes-legal-reform-122021014.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/ApjkxkSz54sYVjGxuiVs_A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-11T122021Z_1_CBRE96A0YA400_RTROPTP_2_POPE-SUCCESSION.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Saint Peter&#039;s Basilica is seen reflected during the conclave at the Vatican" align="left" title="Saint Peter&#039;s Basilica is seen reflected during the conclave at the Vatican" border="0" /></a>VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican unveiled changes to its law on Thursday that name the sexual abuse of children as a specific crime and aim to implement international anti-money laundering norms as the city state seeks to end years of scandal. Under the changes, child prostitution, sexual violence and sexual acts with children and child pornography will be included in a broader definition of the category of crimes against minors, the Vatican said in a statement. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/vatican-broadens-child-abuse-crimes-legal-reform-122021014.htmlThu, 11 Jul 2013 08:20:21 -0400Reutersvatican-broadens-child-abuse-crimes-legal-reform-122021014<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/vatican-broadens-child-abuse-crimes-legal-reform-122021014.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/ApjkxkSz54sYVjGxuiVs_A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-11T122021Z_1_CBRE96A0YA400_RTROPTP_2_POPE-SUCCESSION.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Saint Peter&#039;s Basilica is seen reflected during the conclave at the Vatican" align="left" title="Saint Peter&#039;s Basilica is seen reflected during the conclave at the Vatican" border="0" /></a>VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican unveiled changes to its law on Thursday that name the sexual abuse of children as a specific crime and aim to implement international anti-money laundering norms as the city state seeks to end years of scandal. Under the changes, child prostitution, sexual violence and sexual acts with children and child pornography will be included in a broader definition of the category of crimes against minors, the Vatican said in a statement. ...</p><br clear="all"/>EL-ARISH, Egypt (AP) ? Security officials say suspected militants have killed a Christian merchant in the northern Sinai Peninsula.http://news.yahoo.com/egypt-suspected-militants-kill-christian-092419404.htmlThu, 11 Jul 2013 05:24:19 -0400Associated Pressegypt-suspected-militants-kill-christian-092419404<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/poles-divided-over-religious-slaughter-161650332.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/AP1U2It0RJs1T5LGGO94dw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/images/US_AHTTP_AP_FINANCIALTIMES/8e55877c10812c17370f6a7067006105_original.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="Poles divided over religious slaughter of animals" align="left" title="Poles divided over religious slaughter of animals" border="0" /></a>Polish farmers marched through Warsaw&#039;s streets Wednesday to back government plans to repeal a ban on the religious slaughter of animals. Lawmakers will vote Friday on a government draft law that would ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/poles-divided-over-religious-slaughter-161650332.htmlWed, 10 Jul 2013 12:16:50 -0400Associated Presspoles-divided-over-religious-slaughter-161650332<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/poles-divided-over-religious-slaughter-161650332.html"><img src="http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/AP1U2It0RJs1T5LGGO94dw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://globalfinance.zenfs.com/images/US_AHTTP_AP_FINANCIALTIMES/8e55877c10812c17370f6a7067006105_original.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="Poles divided over religious slaughter of animals" align="left" title="Poles divided over religious slaughter of animals" border="0" /></a>Polish farmers marched through Warsaw&#039;s streets Wednesday to back government plans to repeal a ban on the religious slaughter of animals. Lawmakers will vote Friday on a government draft law that would ...</p><br clear="all"/>By Robert Evans GENEVA (Reuters) - A United Nations human rights panel has posed a list of tough questions to the Vatican about child abuse by Catholic priests, a potential embarrassment for Pope Francis a few months into his papacy. The U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) asked for "detailed information on all cases of child sexual abuse committed by members of the clergy, brothers or nuns" since the Holy See last reported to it some 15 years ago, and set November 1 as a deadline for a reply. ...http://news.yahoo.com/u-n-rights-body-poses-tough-questions-vatican-151639085.htmlWed, 10 Jul 2013 11:16:39 -0400Reutersu-n-rights-body-poses-tough-questions-vatican-151639085LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) ? A newspaper column lampooning Southern Baptists, calling the group "the crazy old paranoid uncle of evangelical Christians," is causing quite a stir in a Kentucky city and put a pastor's job in jeopardy.http://news.yahoo.com/ky-church-wants-pastor-gone-wifes-column-083204548.htmlWed, 10 Jul 2013 04:38:35 -0400Associated Pressky-church-wants-pastor-gone-wifes-column-083204548In a split with U.S. bishops, a trade group for Catholic hospitals said Tuesday it can accept the Obama's administration latest compromise on birth control coverage by religious employers. "We are ...http://news.yahoo.com/catholic-hospitals-accept-birth-control-175949552.htmlTue, 09 Jul 2013 13:59:49 -0400Associated Presscatholic-hospitals-accept-birth-control-175949552OTTAWA - Pope Francis is expressing his sympathy and sending a special blessing to the people of Lac Megantic, Que., after the devastating train derailment in the community on the weekend.http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-offers-prayers-sends-blessing-people-lac-152818125.htmlTue, 09 Jul 2013 11:28:18 -0400Associated Presspope-francis-offers-prayers-sends-blessing-people-lac-152818125SOFIA (Reuters) - Bishop Cyril of Varna, a prominent Bulgarian Orthodox cleric who was ousted last year as a secret police collaborator under Communist rule, was found dead on a Black Sea beach on Tuesday, regional police said. The body of Cyril, 59, who headed one of Bulgaria's biggest Christian Orthodox eparchies and also served as an interim patriarch, was discovered near his coastal residence. An autopsy showed he had drowned and there were no signs of violence. ...http://news.yahoo.com/bulgarian-christian-orthodox-bishop-cyril-found-dead-beach-151947503.htmlTue, 09 Jul 2013 11:19:47 -0400Reutersbulgarian-christian-orthodox-bishop-cyril-found-dead-beach-151947503WASHINGTON (AP) ? A trade group for Catholic hospitals says it can accept the Obama administration's compromise on birth control coverage.http://news.yahoo.com/catholic-hospitals-accept-birth-control-rule-151105644.htmlTue, 09 Jul 2013 11:11:05 -0400Associated Presscatholic-hospitals-accept-birth-control-rule-151105644<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/divided-church-england-renews-pledge-ordain-women-bishops-171750478.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/1.iB5EHltKac6a9gzoPrWQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-08T171750Z_1_CBRE9671C1W00_RTROPTP_2_BRITAIN-RELIGION-ANGLICANS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Welby, attends his enthronement ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral at Canterbury, southern England" align="left" title="The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Welby, attends his enthronement ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral at Canterbury, southern England" border="0" /></a>By Adam Jourdan LONDON (Reuters) - The Church of England&#039;s law-making body voted on Monday in favor of ordaining women bishops, but it will be at least two years before the measure, opposed by a minority of traditionalists, can be passed. The vote was a boost for Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby who became head of the 80 million-member Anglican church in January, a few weeks after a blocking minority defeated the last attempt to allow women bishops in the English church, after 10 years of divisive debate. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/divided-church-england-renews-pledge-ordain-women-bishops-171750478.htmlMon, 08 Jul 2013 13:17:50 -0400Reutersdivided-church-england-renews-pledge-ordain-women-bishops-171750478<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/divided-church-england-renews-pledge-ordain-women-bishops-171750478.html"><img src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/1.iB5EHltKac6a9gzoPrWQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-08T171750Z_1_CBRE9671C1W00_RTROPTP_2_BRITAIN-RELIGION-ANGLICANS.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Welby, attends his enthronement ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral at Canterbury, southern England" align="left" title="The new Archbishop of Canterbury, Welby, attends his enthronement ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral at Canterbury, southern England" border="0" /></a>By Adam Jourdan LONDON (Reuters) - The Church of England&#039;s law-making body voted on Monday in favor of ordaining women bishops, but it will be at least two years before the measure, opposed by a minority of traditionalists, can be passed. The vote was a boost for Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby who became head of the 80 million-member Anglican church in January, a few weeks after a blocking minority defeated the last attempt to allow women bishops in the English church, after 10 years of divisive debate. ...</p><br clear="all"/>LONDON (AP) ? The Church of England's governing body has voted to restart the process of allowing women bishops following a widespread backlash over the failure of such legislation last year.http://news.yahoo.com/church-england-backs-push-women-bishops-163533510.htmlMon, 08 Jul 2013 12:35:33 -0400Associated Presschurch-england-backs-push-women-bishops-163533510<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-blasts-indifference-over-migration-deaths-091505250.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/EYz4pp.5HavD36Ddh6GdTA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/6bddf44bd221fa16360f6a706700fc70.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="Pope Francis celebrates a mass during his visit to the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday July 8, 2013. Pope Francis traveled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea and celebrate Mass as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" align="left" title="Pope Francis celebrates a mass during his visit to the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday July 8, 2013. Pope Francis traveled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea and celebrate Mass as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" border="0" /></a>LAMPEDUSA, Sicily (AP) ? Pope Francis on Monday denounced the &quot;globalization of indifference&quot; that greets migrants who risk their lives trying to reach Europe, as he traveled to the farthest reaches of Italy to draw attention to their plight and to mourn those who never made it.</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/pope-blasts-indifference-over-migration-deaths-091505250.htmlMon, 08 Jul 2013 09:04:00 -0400Associated Presspope-blasts-indifference-over-migration-deaths-091505250<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-blasts-indifference-over-migration-deaths-091505250.html"><img src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/EYz4pp.5HavD36Ddh6GdTA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/6bddf44bd221fa16360f6a706700fc70.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="Pope Francis celebrates a mass during his visit to the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday July 8, 2013. Pope Francis traveled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea and celebrate Mass as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" align="left" title="Pope Francis celebrates a mass during his visit to the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday July 8, 2013. Pope Francis traveled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea and celebrate Mass as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" border="0" /></a>LAMPEDUSA, Sicily (AP) ? Pope Francis on Monday denounced the &quot;globalization of indifference&quot; that greets migrants who risk their lives trying to reach Europe, as he traveled to the farthest reaches of Italy to draw attention to their plight and to mourn those who never made it.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-commemorates-dead-migrants-lampedusa-082945600.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/s94L_EOq0AJjy4JIKEAdVQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-08T105127Z_1_CBRE9670U5U00_RTROPTP_2_POPE-LAMPEDUSA.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Pope Francis celebrates a mass during his visit at Lampedusa Island" align="left" title="Pope Francis celebrates a mass during his visit at Lampedusa Island" border="0" /></a>By Alessandro Bianchi LAMPEDUSA, Italy (Reuters) - Pope Francis celebrated mass on the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa on Monday to commemorate thousands of migrants who have died crossing the sea from North Africa, underlining his drive to put the poor at the heart of his papacy. The choice of Lampedusa for his first official trip outside Rome was highly symbolic for the pontiff, who said news reports of the deaths of desperate people trying to reach a better life that had been like &quot;a thorn in the heart&quot;. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-commemorates-dead-migrants-lampedusa-082945600.htmlMon, 08 Jul 2013 07:46:43 -0400Reuterspope-francis-commemorates-dead-migrants-lampedusa-082945600<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-commemorates-dead-migrants-lampedusa-082945600.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/s94L_EOq0AJjy4JIKEAdVQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-08T105127Z_1_CBRE9670U5U00_RTROPTP_2_POPE-LAMPEDUSA.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="Pope Francis celebrates a mass during his visit at Lampedusa Island" align="left" title="Pope Francis celebrates a mass during his visit at Lampedusa Island" border="0" /></a>By Alessandro Bianchi LAMPEDUSA, Italy (Reuters) - Pope Francis celebrated mass on the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa on Monday to commemorate thousands of migrants who have died crossing the sea from North Africa, underlining his drive to put the poor at the heart of his papacy. The choice of Lampedusa for his first official trip outside Rome was highly symbolic for the pontiff, who said news reports of the deaths of desperate people trying to reach a better life that had been like &quot;a thorn in the heart&quot;. ...</p><br clear="all"/>Pope Francis travelled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea and celebrate Mass as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore.http://news.yahoo.com/pope-comes-sicilian-island-pray-migrants-lost-sea-085816533.htmlMon, 08 Jul 2013 04:58:16 -0400Associated Presspope-comes-sicilian-island-pray-migrants-lost-sea-085816533<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-visits-lampedusa-more-migrants-come-ashore-084730422.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/6hSCrdv9K_wdCriCAj3YPw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/d61e7f67d187f716360f6a706700f6db.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="Pope Francis, right, boards an Italian Coast Guard boat upon his arrival at the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday, July 8, 2013. Pope Francis heads Monday to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa for his first pastoral visit outside Rome, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to pray with migrants who have recently arrived and remember those who have died trying. Francis, a pope from &quot;the end of the Earth&quot; whose ancestors immigrated to Argentina from Italy, has a special place in his heart for refugees: As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he denounced the exploitation of migrants as &quot;slavery&quot; and said those who did nothing to stop it were complicit by their silence. On Monday, he will arrive at Lampedusa&#039;s port by boat and will throw a floral wreath into the sea in memory of those who died trying to reach the island, which is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" align="left" title="Pope Francis, right, boards an Italian Coast Guard boat upon his arrival at the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday, July 8, 2013. Pope Francis heads Monday to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa for his first pastoral visit outside Rome, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to pray with migrants who have recently arrived and remember those who have died trying. Francis, a pope from &quot;the end of the Earth&quot; whose ancestors immigrated to Argentina from Italy, has a special place in his heart for refugees: As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he denounced the exploitation of migrants as &quot;slavery&quot; and said those who did nothing to stop it were complicit by their silence. On Monday, he will arrive at Lampedusa&#039;s port by boat and will throw a floral wreath into the sea in memory of those who died trying to reach the island, which is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" border="0" /></a>LAMPEDUSA, Sicily (AP) ? Pope Francis traveled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea and celebrate Mass as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore.</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/pope-visits-lampedusa-more-migrants-come-ashore-084730422.htmlMon, 08 Jul 2013 04:47:30 -0400Associated Presspope-visits-lampedusa-more-migrants-come-ashore-084730422<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-visits-lampedusa-more-migrants-come-ashore-084730422.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/6hSCrdv9K_wdCriCAj3YPw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/d61e7f67d187f716360f6a706700f6db.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="Pope Francis, right, boards an Italian Coast Guard boat upon his arrival at the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday, July 8, 2013. Pope Francis heads Monday to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa for his first pastoral visit outside Rome, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to pray with migrants who have recently arrived and remember those who have died trying. Francis, a pope from &quot;the end of the Earth&quot; whose ancestors immigrated to Argentina from Italy, has a special place in his heart for refugees: As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he denounced the exploitation of migrants as &quot;slavery&quot; and said those who did nothing to stop it were complicit by their silence. On Monday, he will arrive at Lampedusa&#039;s port by boat and will throw a floral wreath into the sea in memory of those who died trying to reach the island, which is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" align="left" title="Pope Francis, right, boards an Italian Coast Guard boat upon his arrival at the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday, July 8, 2013. Pope Francis heads Monday to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa for his first pastoral visit outside Rome, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to pray with migrants who have recently arrived and remember those who have died trying. Francis, a pope from &quot;the end of the Earth&quot; whose ancestors immigrated to Argentina from Italy, has a special place in his heart for refugees: As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he denounced the exploitation of migrants as &quot;slavery&quot; and said those who did nothing to stop it were complicit by their silence. On Monday, he will arrive at Lampedusa&#039;s port by boat and will throw a floral wreath into the sea in memory of those who died trying to reach the island, which is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" border="0" /></a>LAMPEDUSA, Sicily (AP) ? Pope Francis traveled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea and celebrate Mass as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-arrives-lampedusa-migrants-come-ashore-073859361.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/6hSCrdv9K_wdCriCAj3YPw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/d61e7f67d187f716360f6a706700f6db.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="Pope Francis, right, boards an Italian Coast Guard boat upon his arrival at the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday, July 8, 2013. Pope Francis heads Monday to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa for his first pastoral visit outside Rome, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to pray with migrants who have recently arrived and remember those who have died trying. Francis, a pope from &quot;the end of the Earth&quot; whose ancestors immigrated to Argentina from Italy, has a special place in his heart for refugees: As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he denounced the exploitation of migrants as &quot;slavery&quot; and said those who did nothing to stop it were complicit by their silence. On Monday, he will arrive at Lampedusa&#039;s port by boat and will throw a floral wreath into the sea in memory of those who died trying to reach the island, which is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" align="left" title="Pope Francis, right, boards an Italian Coast Guard boat upon his arrival at the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday, July 8, 2013. Pope Francis heads Monday to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa for his first pastoral visit outside Rome, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to pray with migrants who have recently arrived and remember those who have died trying. Francis, a pope from &quot;the end of the Earth&quot; whose ancestors immigrated to Argentina from Italy, has a special place in his heart for refugees: As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he denounced the exploitation of migrants as &quot;slavery&quot; and said those who did nothing to stop it were complicit by their silence. On Monday, he will arrive at Lampedusa&#039;s port by boat and will throw a floral wreath into the sea in memory of those who died trying to reach the island, which is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" border="0" /></a>LAMPEDUSA, Sicily (AP) ? Pope Francis traveled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore.</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/pope-arrives-lampedusa-migrants-come-ashore-073859361.htmlMon, 08 Jul 2013 03:55:10 -0400Associated Presspope-arrives-lampedusa-migrants-come-ashore-073859361<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-arrives-lampedusa-migrants-come-ashore-073859361.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/6hSCrdv9K_wdCriCAj3YPw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/d61e7f67d187f716360f6a706700f6db.jpg" width="130" height="86" alt="Pope Francis, right, boards an Italian Coast Guard boat upon his arrival at the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday, July 8, 2013. Pope Francis heads Monday to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa for his first pastoral visit outside Rome, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to pray with migrants who have recently arrived and remember those who have died trying. Francis, a pope from &quot;the end of the Earth&quot; whose ancestors immigrated to Argentina from Italy, has a special place in his heart for refugees: As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he denounced the exploitation of migrants as &quot;slavery&quot; and said those who did nothing to stop it were complicit by their silence. On Monday, he will arrive at Lampedusa&#039;s port by boat and will throw a floral wreath into the sea in memory of those who died trying to reach the island, which is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" align="left" title="Pope Francis, right, boards an Italian Coast Guard boat upon his arrival at the island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday, July 8, 2013. Pope Francis heads Monday to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa for his first pastoral visit outside Rome, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to pray with migrants who have recently arrived and remember those who have died trying. Francis, a pope from &quot;the end of the Earth&quot; whose ancestors immigrated to Argentina from Italy, has a special place in his heart for refugees: As archbishop of Buenos Aires, he denounced the exploitation of migrants as &quot;slavery&quot; and said those who did nothing to stop it were complicit by their silence. On Monday, he will arrive at Lampedusa&#039;s port by boat and will throw a floral wreath into the sea in memory of those who died trying to reach the island, which is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)" border="0" /></a>LAMPEDUSA, Sicily (AP) ? Pope Francis traveled Monday to the tiny Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray for migrants lost at sea, going to the farthest reaches of Italy to throw a wreath of flowers into the sea as yet another boatload of Eritrean migrants came ashore.</p><br clear="all"/><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-visits-lampedusa-migrant-arrivals-pick-221225286.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/09tw5yfudqPC.7R5xNJiPQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-07T221225Z_1_CBRE9661POU00_RTROPTP_2_POPE-LAMPEDUSA.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A banner depicting Pope Francis with the words, &quot;Welcome Pope - The Pope of fishermen&quot; is displayed on a boat in Lampedusa" align="left" title="A banner depicting Pope Francis with the words, &quot;Welcome Pope - The Pope of fishermen&quot; is displayed on a boat in Lampedusa" border="0" /></a>By Alessandro Bianchi LAMPEDUSA, Italy (Reuters) - Pope Francis makes his first official trip outside Rome on Monday with a visit to Lampedusa, the tiny island off Sicily that has been the first port of safety for untold thousands of migrants crossing by sea from North Africa to Europe. The choice of Lampedusa is a highly symbolic one for Francis, who has placed the poor at the center of his papacy and called on the Church to return to its mission of serving them. His trip comes at the start of summer when the island sees a steady stream of migrant boats arriving on its shores. ...</p><br clear="all"/>http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-visits-lampedusa-migrant-arrivals-pick-221225286.htmlSun, 07 Jul 2013 18:12:25 -0400Reuterspope-francis-visits-lampedusa-migrant-arrivals-pick-221225286<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/pope-francis-visits-lampedusa-migrant-arrivals-pick-221225286.html"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/09tw5yfudqPC.7R5xNJiPQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTg2O3E9ODU7dz0xMzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2013-07-07T221225Z_1_CBRE9661POU00_RTROPTP_2_POPE-LAMPEDUSA.JPG" width="130" height="86" alt="A banner depicting Pope Francis with the words, &quot;Welcome Pope - The Pope of fishermen&quot; is displayed on a boat in Lampedusa" align="left" title="A banner depicting Pope Francis with the words, &quot;Welcome Pope - The Pope of fishermen&quot; is displayed on a boat in Lampedusa" border="0" /></a>By Alessandro Bianchi LAMPEDUSA, Italy (Reuters) - Pope Francis makes his first official trip outside Rome on Monday with a visit to Lampedusa, the tiny island off Sicily that has been the first port of safety for untold thousands of migrants crossing by sea from North Africa to Europe. The choice of Lampedusa is a highly symbolic one for Francis, who has placed the poor at the center

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