Political leaders must "improve the humanitarian situation" in Gaza, members of the Holy Land Coordination have said. Jihadists have beheaded a Syrian Christian they identified by a cross around his neck, Fides reports. Accepting a vocation always involves "an exodus from oneself", Pope Francis has said in his World Day of Prayer for Vocations message (full text). John Allen, Nick Squires and Bishop Charles Scicluna comment on the Holy See's appearance before the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child yesterday. Texan Bishop Patrick Zurek has said all his concerns about the Priests for Life group, led by Fr Frank Pavone, have been "favourably addressed". Archbishop William Lori identifies some early "trends and themes" in response to the family synod survey. And Lord Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, argues that St Teresa of Avila was "very subversive". Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day.