South China Sea: Philippines criticises China, sides with Vietnam

Francis celebrated the ‘In Coena Domini” Mass in an empty St Peter’s Basilica, except for a dozen people present. “Nobody knows their names”. They are “anonymous priests, country parish priests who know the locals. One told me that he knew the names of all the people in the village. ‘Really? I said to him.’ Even the dogs. [. . .] Today I carry you all to the altar.”

The Pope will not celebrate the chrism mass today, instead it will take place once the crisis is over. There will be Mass in Coena Domini, but without the washing of the feet. Tomorrow, the Via Crucis will be in St. Peter's square. During the Holy Saturday Vigil, at 9 pm, no baptisms will be celebrated. At Easter he will pronounce the message Urbi et Orbi and impart the Easter blessing before the altar of confession.

In the story of the Passion, the answer to the question "what is God doing" in the face of the pandemic. "Let us not forget that the cross is the chair of God. It will do us good to look at the Crucifix in silence and see who our Lord is." “Easter tells us that God can turn everything to good. That with Him we can truly trust that everything will be fine ".

“They pretend to serve God to serve money. They are the hidden exploiters who are socially flawless, but under the table they do business, even with people: it doesn't matter. Human exploitation is selling one's neighbor."

A statement from the Holy See. Cardinal Oswald Gracias said "certain from the outset" of the acquittal. The Archbishop of Bombay said he believed the accusations were "absurd".

“Let us each think of this, as part of the people of God: we are servants, our vocation is to serve, not to take advantage of our place in the Church. To serve. Always in service."

In 2018, the cardinal was sentenced to 6 years in prison. As soon as he was acquitted he said he had "suffered from a profound injustice", but also that he had no "ill will" towards his accuser and that he did not want to add to the "hurt and bitterness" so many feel. In all these years, the Vatican has always maintained the presumption of innocence for Card. Pell.

Some “charitable or humanitarian organizations that have many, many employees, with a structure full of people and only about 40% of donations make it to the poor because 60% goes to pay many salaries. This is a way of taking money from the poor."

The pandemic emergency, far from under control, forces priests to celebrate mass without the people. On the night of the resurrection the tomb in Jerusalem was dominated by the same silence and lack of participants. The world resembles one great tomb that puts our pretension to happiness at all costs with its back to the wall. The announcement of the resurrection in empty churches needs prophets to bring this hope to the global grave.

Pope Francis marked the beginning of Holy Week by celebrating Mass at the altar of the Chair in an empty basilica. Only a few aides for the liturgical service and some worshippers were present. In his Passion, Jesus “served us to the point of experiencing the most painful situations of those who love: betrayal and abandonment.” The ongoing pandemic “summons us to take seriously the things that are serious, and not to be caught up in those that matter less”. The pontiff urged the faithful “not be concerned about what we lack, but what good we can do for others.” Finally, “look at the real heroes who come to light in these days: they are not famous, rich and successful people; rather, they are those who are giving themselves in order to serve others.”

Yesterday, on Italian television, Francis expressed his closeness to families, especially those with sick members, and to doctors, nurses and all those who provide essential services. Temptation is a process that “changes our hearts from good to bad, that leads along a downward path. It is something that grows, grows, grows slowly, then infects others and ultimately justifies itself.”

Message from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue on the occasion of Vesakh, the most important holiday for Buddhists. Buddhists are also invited to take part in the event on "Reinventing the Global Compact on education", which will be held in the Vatican on 15 October.

Francis recalls the Virgin Mary’s "seven sorrows". “She didn't ask herself to be a quasi-redeemer or a co-redeemer: no. There is one Redeemer and this title not a dual title. Only disciple and mother. And so, as a mother we must think of her, we must look to her, we must pray to her. She is the Mother”.