Today’s Catholic must-reads: 15/12/10

Benedict XVI dedicated his general audience today to the Italian mystic St Veronica Giuliani (video).

Japanese bishops have met the Pope to discuss their concerns about the Neocatechumenal Way.

The prior of the Taizé Community has urged young people to “opt for joy” in his annual letter to supporters (full text).

Unknown assailants have beaten a Polish missionary priest to death with a crucifix in Ecuador.

A missionary in Haiti has predicted that 200,000 Haitians will die and 400,000 will be infected with cholera if the pandemic is not halted soon.

Pope Benedict will visit children staying in Rome’s Gemelli hospital on the eve of the Epiphany.

Mgr Charles Pope praises Benedict XVI’s explanation of the “mystery of inquity” in Light of the World.

Fr Joseph Fessio SJ discusses Pope Benedict’s role as a teacher of the faith (video).

And an archbishop in Argentina has provoked astonishment after he told children at a Mass that Santa Claus does not exist.