Christians and Muslims together in memory of Fr Jacques Hamel’s martyrdom

The testimony of the great nonviolent dissident is the highest contribution to humanity in the last (sterile) 500 years of Chinese history. A priest from North China offers an elegy in memory of Liu (and his wife).

The compound will remain closed until tomorrow when an Israeli security cabinet meeting will be held. Two Israeli Druze policemen die. Netanyahu promises no changes to the status quo, but the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif remains at the centre of tensions and violence.

The three Palestinian assailants opened fire at 7 am, injuring the three Israeli policemen.  The attackers, whose identities are still unknown, were shot dead.. 

Francis’ message to the International Symposium on Catechesis in Buenos Aires, on the topic "Blessed are those who believe." "Being a catechist is a vocation of service in the Church, a gift of the Lord that changes lives."

Just over a year after his appointment, the apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem looks back at his work. Many issues remain unresolved, from the major shift ongoing in the region to the principle of unity and closeness with its people. The positive elements include collaboration with the local clergy and the welcoming attitude of locals. Still, there is still a lot to do.

“So many goals are illusory: they promise some respite and distraction, they guarantee peace and fun, only to leave the same solitude as before,  they are "fireworks". That is why Christ indicated where to go:"Come to me".

Letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship. Bishops must ensure that the material for the celebration is valid: wheat bread and grape wine. The exceptions for celiac and for those who do not drink wine but can drink mustum. Verification is needed because today these products are also sold in supermarkets and via the internet.

The text was approved with 122 votes in favor, one against, one abstention. But none of the nine nuclear countries -  US, Russia, China, France, Great Britain, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel - took part in the debate or vote. Vatican support and the appreciation of UN Secretary-General Guterres.

The great Israeli statist comments on allegations of the Syrian President's bombing the city of Khan Sheikhoun on April 4, and of using lethal gas against his people. But there is no evidence to condemn Assad. In Syria, "everyone is fighting with everyone against everyone." Trump's punitive attack against the will of US generals and with media applause, "unconscious prisoners of lies".

A visit to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv from July 4 to 6. Narendra Modi is the first Indian premier to travel to Israel. signed agreements include a $ 40 million package for innovation; Contracts worth $ 2.6 billion for defense and $ 4.3 billion for business. The prime minister does not visit Ramallah and the Palestinians.

Following the request of Angela Merkel, Pope Francis writes to heads of state and government in Hamburg for the summit of the world's major economies. A "heartfelt appeal"  to address the tragic situations of South Sudan, Lake Chad, Horn of Africa and Yemen, where there are 30 million people who have no food and water to survive. " The contradiction between apparent unity in the "common economic forums" and the persistence of "armed conflicts". Take an example from the great leaders of the recent past: Schuman, De Gasperi, Adenauer, Monnet. Bear in mind the great majority of the population, even though it represents only 10% of the world economy.

He was arrested a month after the incident in July 2015. The second suspect was acquitted and a third is awaiting trial. On the wall he wrote: "Idols will be cast out or destroyed." Previous charges of hate crimes. It is the "price to pay" for "subtracting land".

In his message, Francis reminds the international community of its duty of solidarity. Malnutrition is the “result of a more complex condition of underdevelopment caused by the indifference of many or the selfishness of a few.” At the same time, “All of us realize that the intention to provide everyone with his or her daily bread is not enough. Rather, there is a need to recognize that all have a right to it and they must therefore benefit from it.”

2017 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report is published. Data reveals slowdown in the process of dismantling nuclear weapons: 14,935 nuclear warheads against 15,395 of the previous year. US and Russia are investing in modernizing their systems. The smallest arsenals in Asia are in full swing. Israel has 80 nuclear warheads. Pope Francis's appeal to the UN has not been heard.

During the Angelus, Pope Francis called on Christians to hold Jesus as "the centre, the whole of life." Do not have a "duplicitous heart" with a "foot in two shoes". May the " holy faithful people of God” help “us to be good priests." He dedicated a Hail Mary to Venezuela, and expressed his “closeness to the families who have lost children in the streets”.