STATUE OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER SEEN ILLUMINATED IN BRAZIL

Christ the Redeemer statue is lit up in different colors Feb. 6 atop Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro to represent the 150 countries that will participate in World Youth Day activities July 23-28, 2013. (CNS photo/Ricardo Moraes, Reuters)

ADVOCATES CHEER OUTSIDE FEDERAL APPEALS COURT IN CALIFORNIA MOMENTS BEFORE LEARNING DECISION ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN

Advocates of same-sex marriage cheer during a rally outside the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco Feb. 7 moments before hearing the court's decision on Proposition 8. By a 2-1 vote, a three-judge panel struck down the California ban on same-s ex marriage, saying that it violates the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees citizens due process and equal protection under the law. (CNS photo/Beck Diefenbach, Reuters)

CHILDREN ATTEND RELIGION CLASS AT CATHOLIC PARISH IN ILLINOIS

Children attend a religion class at St. Blase Parish in Summit Argo, Ill., in this 2011 photo. In an effort to help Catholics have a better and correct understanding of their faith, the Vatican issued a list of pastoral recommendations for celebrating th e upcoming Year of Faith. One suggestion is for dioceses and parishes to ensure better quality catechetical materials that conform to church teaching. (CNS photo/Karen Callaway, Catholic New World)

STUDENT ATTENDS RELIGION CLASS AT CATHOLIC PARISH IN ILLINOIS

First-grade student Gabriela Konopko attends religion class at St. Blase Parish in Summit Argo, Ill., in this 2011 photo. In an effort to help Catholics have a better and correct understanding of their faith, the Vatican issued a list of pastoral recomme ndations for celebrating the upcoming Year of Faith. One suggestion is for dioceses and parishes to ensure better quality catechetical materials that conform to church teaching. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX PILGRIMS ENTER JORDAN RIVER IN WEST BANK ON FEAST OF BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Russian Orthodox pilgrims go into the Jordan River while Catholics, not seen, celebrate Mass at Qasr el-Yehud in celebration of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord Jan. 8. Located near the West Bank town of Jericho, the site is believed to be the place where St. John baptized Jesus. (CNS photo/Debbie Hill)

PILGRIMS HOLD ROPE PULLING STATUE OF BLACK NAZARENE DURING PROCESSION IN MANILA

Pilgrims jostle to hold a rope for pulling a carriage that transports the statue of the Black Nazarene during a procession in Manila, Philippines, Jan. 7. Millions of devotees joined the procession of the Black Nazarene, ignoring President Benigno Aquino's warning of possible terrorist attacks. The wooden statue, carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippine capital in the early 17th century, is cherished by Catholics, who believe that touching it can lead to a miracle. (CNS photo/Erik De Castro, Reuters)

NEWLY MARRIED COUPLES APPLAUD DURING POPE'S GENERAL AUDIENCE AT VATICAN

Newly married couples applaud as Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges them during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican Jan. 4. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

DREAM CATCHER AND CRUCIFIX SEEN ON WALL AT CATHOLIC SCHOOL ON INDIAN RESERVATION IN NEW MEXICO

A dream catcher and crucifix are seen on the wall at St. Anthony Indian School on the Zuni Pueblo Indian reservation in New Mexico in late October. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

FATHER PAYSSE LOOKS OVER STUDENT'S WORK AT CATHOLIC SCHOOL ON ZUNI RESERVATION IN NEW MEXICO

Father Wayne C. Paysse, executive director of the Washington-based Black and Indian Mission Office, looks over a student's work in late October at St. Anthony Indian School on the Zuni Pueblo Indian Reservation in New Mexico.

TEACHER AIDE INSTRUCTS STUDENT AT CATHOLIC SCHOOL ON INDIAN RESERVATION IN NEW MEXICO

Teacher aide Phyllis Etsate instructs students at St. Anthony Indian School on the Zuni Pueblo Indian reservation in New Mexico in late October. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)

FOUR AMONG U.S. BISHOPS THAT COULD RETIRE IN 2012

Pictured clockwise from top left are U.S. Cardinal William J. Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago; Archbishop John G. Vlazny of Portland, Ore.; and San Francisco Archbishop George H. Ni ederauer. They are four of two U.S. cardinals and 20 other U.S. bishops that could retire because of age this year. (CNS)

BOY CHASES PIGEON IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE

Dennis Gini, 5, chases a pigeon in St. Peter's Square after attending Pope Benedict XVI's recitation of the Angelus at the Vatican Jan. 1. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

POPE VISITS NATIVITY SCENE IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE

Pope Benedict XVI visits the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Dec. 31. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano via Catholic Press Photo)