Pope Francis in a Christmas Eve homily said that “the clash of arms even today” prevents Jesus “from finding room in the world."

In Mexico City, it is the busy season for the craftsman who can repair Catholic families' beloved but broken baby Jesus figurines.

(AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)MEXICO CITY – Mexico approved the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V for use Tuesday, just hours after the publication of early results of an advanced study saying it is about 91% effective. The Russian vaccine would become the third to receive emergency approval in Mexico. Mexico turned to the Russian vaccine following delays in obtaining others it was counting on. A dozen countries have already approved the Russian vaccine for use, including Bolivia and Argentina, where López-Gatell visited in January to learn more about it. Ad“The Russian Sputnik V vaccine is safe, it has 92% efficacy against COVID, it can be used safely and is effective in seniors,” López-Gatell said.

The Department of Health reported 1,895 new infections Sunday, bringing confirmed coronavirus cases in the country to 500,577, the second highest in Southeast Asia. — A Chinese province grappling with a spike in coronavirus cases is reinstating tight restrictions on weddings, funerals and other family gatherings, threatening violators with criminal charges. Muhyiddin obtained royal consent last week to declare a coronavirus emergency, slammed by critics as a desperate bid to cling to power amid defections from his ruling coalition. Malaysia has recorded more than 158,000 coronavirus cases, including 601 deaths. Nepal has recorded 267,322 coronavirus cases, including 1,959 deaths.

Human rights activists show an altered image with colors symbolizing LGBT rights as they gathered outside the provincial court in Plock, Poland, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Three activists went on trial Wednesday at the court on charges of having offending religious sentiment by adding the LGBT rainbow symbol to posters of the revered icon, The Black Madonna and Baby Jesus, and publicly displaying the altered image on garbage bins and mobile toilets. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)PLOCK – Three human rights activists went on trial Wednesday in Poland for alleged desecration and offending religious sentiment by adding the LGBT rights movement's rainbow symbol to posters of a revered Roman Catholic icon and publicly displaying the altered image, including on garbage bins and mobile toilets. She was detained for several hours and questioned over the posters of the icon that were placed around Plock. LGBT rights advocates say the laws are used to stifle human rights and freedom of speech.

Pope Francis holds a drawing by a child in the Paul VI Hall during an audience with Baby Jesus children hospital, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)VATICAN CITY Pope Francis has urged the Vaticans pediatric hospital to make prudent choices as it expands to welcome more patients. Hospital president Mariella Enoc referred to recent tortuous efforts to balance the hospitals needs and resources, and thanked Francis for supporting her in the most difficult moment of her tenure. Enoc fired her top manager in July, reportedly after he made ill-advised real estate investments. Francis referred to many difficulties at the hospital, and asked that going forward it makes choices that are courageous and rigorous and at the same time generous and prudent.