The Filipino Catholic priest, an advocate for Christian-Muslim dialogue, was kidnapped and held in captivity for 117 days by ISIS-inspired terrorists.
The Catholic Church issued guidelines to stem the spread of the disease.
They walked the 3.7 mile route barefoot, behind a statue of Jesus.
Although Filipinos borrow some elements from secular America, our oldest Christmas rituals come from our Hispanic past.
Mother Rosario Arroyo is much loved and often invoked. Some say her intercession has already brought miracles.
In a first, Francis celebrates the initial Mass of the Simbang Gabi Christmas novena at St. Peter's
Persecution of Christians calls for alliance with moderates in other faiths.
More than 2 million children are working in the country, some of them in dangerous conditions.
Other churches resembling this style can be found in Sicily and Lisbon.
Its massive stone walls are 1.5 meters thick.
