Pope: Those who rule must pray, it is a sin not to pray for those who rule

From Cartagena the last stop of the trip to Colombia, Francis makes an appeal to "take the first step" towards reconciliation. "Put an end to drug trafficking," which sows "death and destruction, destroying so many hopes and destroying so many families."

Pope Francis met thousands of priests, men and women religious, seminarians, and their families at Medellín’s La Macarena event centre. Many young people discovered their vocation in a context of violence. A priest, a Carmelite nun, of a seminarian's mother bore witness to their experience. The pontiff is optimistic about young people and stressed the importance of having "communities with a contagious apostolic zeal, which inspire and attract others.” He called to dwell in Christ by standing by the people in prayer, study and joy.

During the Mass, Francis told those present that “Even if it may seem that you are getting yourself dirty or stained, get involved,” which means “to be brave” and have “evangelical courage”. For him, “the Church is not a customs house. She wants open doors because the heart of her God is not only open, but pierced by the love that has become pain."

Anna and Petrus crown their dream of meeting their relatives. Millions of Chinese left Shantou for Southeast Asia in the early 1900s. The Chinese are one of Indonesia’s most important ethnic groups. Under Suharto's regime, Chinese products and traditions were banned.

Francis travelled to Villavicencio for a visit centred on national reconciliation. During his stay, he beatified a bishop and a priest killed "in hatred of the faith". “In communities where we are still weighed down with patriarchal and chauvinistic customs, it is good to note that the Gospel begins by highlighting women who were influential and made history.”

One million people at the first Mass celebrated by Francis on his trip to Colombia. The darkness of social injustice, the interests of those who exploit for themselves what is destined for everyone, the lack of respect for life, the thirst for vengeance, the insensitivity to the pain of so many victims.

In his encounter with the bishops of the entire Latin American continent, Pope Francis invites us not to dwell on past memories, but to "concretize" the hope that comes from the faith. "Encountering the living Christ", "going out", enhancing the "religiousness of the people", through "passion for evangelization". Accompanying young people; to valorize women; pushing lay people to social commitment.

At Parque Las Malocas, in the presence of the victims of violence, military, police and ex-guerrillas, Pope Francis celebrated the Great Meeting for National Reconciliation. Some victims and two former guerrilla fighters related their testimonies. The land of Colombia is "sacred ground” because it was "watered by the blood of thousands of innocent victims and by the heart-breaking sorrow of their families and friends.”

Colombia’s bishops must be in the frontline to “touch the wounded flesh” of their country and people to help them overcome the violence and the inequality that underlie the weakness of so many families and young people threatened ‘by spiritual emptiness and seeking to escape through drug use, frivolous lifestyles and a rebellious spirit.”

In his first meeting in the South American country, Francis calls for the inclusion of all citizens, especially the weak, as well as the protection of the family, life and nature. “Just laws are needed” to “help overcome the conflicts that have torn apart this nation for decades; laws are required which are not born from the pragmatic need to order society but rather arise from the desire to resolve the structural causes of poverty that lead to exclusion and violence.”

Pope today tweeted, “Dear Friends, please pray for me and all of Colombia, where I will be travelling for a journey dedicated to reconciliation and peace.” His difficult trip includes several stages.

Buddhists of Chinese origin have been accused of complicity with their coreligionists in Myanmar. Protests break out across the country. The Widodo administration is accused of violating the rights of Rohingya Muslims. The president sends foreign minister to Myanmar and Bangladesh on a humanitarian mission. For the Indonesian ambassador to Myanmar, there is “no genocide".

UN Security Council convokes  emergency meeting for this afternoon.  Yesterday’s hydrogen almost 10 times stronger than the previous one. North Korea celebrates "perfect success". Seoul and Tokyo demand maximum increase in sanctions to bring Kim Jong-un to the negotiating table. Military exercises with missiles in the south. Threats to military operations by the US. For some analysts, the aim is to provoke China's embarrassment.

"Spiritual closeness to the people of South Asia "and "active participation in the suffering of Texas residents affected by a hurricane." "Jesus reminds us that his way is the way of love, and there is no true love without self-sacrifice." Mary "help us not to be afraid to suffer for the love of God and of our brothers and sisters."

The Papal Message on the occasion of the National Day of the Holy See at the international exhibition dedicated to future energy. Energy resources must not be " to unscrupulous financial speculation or to become a source of conflict". "The health of the planet," "the welfare of our societies," "our own dignity," "justice and peace," is in play.