Editor's Notebook — Oct. 31

Happy All Hallow's Eve!CNS photoThe Vatican confirmed this morning that a consistory will be held Feb. 22, 2014, to create new cardinals.Under fire from an Italian media report, the NSA denies claims that it spied on the Vatican.This morning, Pope Francis celebrated Mass not in the chapel in his place of residence, but inside St. Peter's Basilica — in fact, in the chapel where Blessed Pope Hohn Paul II is buried.Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, gave an address marking the 50th anniversary of Pacem in Terris ("Peace on Earth") this year.He wrote, in part: "For man, the centre and subject of both peace and war, is also the subject of an irreducible and unique dignity, and with a vocation to relationship. For John XXIII, human relationship and human dignity are the indispensable core, building-block and touch-stone of peace."CNS photoA New Jersey school district issued a statement recently saying that religious holiday music won't be allowed during winter concerts this year.At the Catholic Herald in London, R. Andrew Chesnut argues that "the so-called global war on Christians is a fiction."As we round out Respect Life month, here are 10 ways to keep life issues at the front-and-center throughout the entire year, courtesy of FOCUS. Looking for a great fall book? See what OSV staff members recommend.Finally, here's a little something fun (and spooky) for the day. Enjoy!Gretchen R. Crowe is editor of OSV Newsweekly.