Kashmiri schools reopen, but pupils remain at home

At the Angelus, Pope Francis explains that "the fire" that Jesus came to ignite, pushes disciples "to abandon every attitude of laziness, apathy, indifference".  Christianity has spread "overcoming every division between individuals, social categories, peoples and nations".  It is urgent to live in "adoration of God" and in the "willingness to serve others".  One cannot "combine Christian life and worldliness", "superstitious practices" and "a hostile attitude to one's neighbor".

The man is the Sri Lankan People's Front candidate.  He was Secretary of Defense during his brother Mahinda's regime and defeated the Tamil Tigers rebels.  Supporters consider him a "war hero".  Tamil and Sinhalese women: "If he comes to power, he will begin a new period of violence, kidnappings and killings".

Heightened border tensions between India and Pakistan have followed New Delhi’s decision to cancel the special autonomy of the Muslim majority State. Today, the UN Security Council is meeting to discuss the issue. For Bishop Joseph D’Souza, "The last thing the region needs is another war."

Emphasis on government inefficiencies.  "It seems that the authorities just want to identify the flaws in the security system."  The bishops reiterate that the main purpose must be the identification of authors, supporters and accomplices.

At the Angelus, Pope Francis explains the words used by Mary in the Magnificat: Magnify and rejoice.  "If we want our life to be happy, God must be placed first, because he alone is great".  Closeness to the peoples of South Asia affected by the monsoons.  The rosaries blessed by the Pope will be distributed to Syrian families.

The Diocese of Miao organised a musical dedicated to school dropouts. On average, two out of three youths go to school in India. Early dropout is widespread for both boys and girls. Forced to leave her studies to look after five siblings, Sonia is one of the dropouts.

National Minorities Day was established thanks to Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic minister who killed for defending Asia Bibi. Christians are discriminated against in the workplace and ignored in school books. In 2018, 16 people were charged for alleged blasphemy.

In a message published today, the pontiff expresses closeness to all those who have been touched by the tragedy and acknowledges that he does not have "pre-packaged answers". He does however reach out to the people of the city, saying "you are not alone", entrusting to Christ "our questions, our pain, our anger", urging people to look “towards the Madonna della Guardia", and calling for reconstruction in solidarity, together with the Church of Genoa.

The toll of flood victims rose to 184, as well as one million displaced people.  Msgr. Derek Fernandes managed to get to Kadra, in Karnataka, where the waters receded.  The population has lost everything;  the main concern is the spread of epidemics.

The assault has raised concern among Christians, already shocked by the Easter Sunday attacks. Methodist Church president says he trusts the justice system. In his view, Buddhists can enjoy their faith as they wish, and so should let Christians do the same.

The most affected state is Kerala, with 72 victims and 260,000 displaced in over 1,600 camps.  The Church at the forefront of assistance operations.  The opposition calls for intervention by the central government.

During the Angelus, Pope Francis suggested attitudes to "grasp God’s passage in one's life". Like pilgrims, we must “be ready with clothes tight around the hips” and keep “lights burning” to enlighten with faith "the many ‘nights’ of life". The eternal joy of heaven means that “the servants, that is, us, will no longer serve God, but God himself will put himself at our service." The pontiff cited the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, which "impose limits on the use of force and are aimed at protecting civilians and prisoners in time of war." War and terrorism represent "the great human defeat".

Mgr Allwyn D'Silva, chairman of Prison Ministry India and auxiliary bishop of Mumbai, issued a Message for tomorrow’s Prison Mission day. About 11 million people are in prison around the world, 419,623 in India. Maximilian Kolbe is the patron saint of the prison mission.

The new statutes of the Institute for the Works of Religion will be valid for two years ad experimentum. Changes were necessary to adapt them to the needs of the times and use the collaboration and responsibility of experienced lay Catholics.