Plainclothes police attack activists and relatives of political prisoners in Nghệ An

The Pew Research Center report states that "in the 2007-2017 decade, government restrictions on religion - laws, policies and actions of state officials that limit religious beliefs and practices - have increased dramatically in the world."  Leading the ranking of countries that impose restrictions on religious freedom are the Middle East and North Africa.

The missionary has been involved for years in helping people with Hansen’s disease and spreading the PIME charisma. "I'm happy but at the same time I am a bit afraid,” he said. “I hope I can lead the diocese with God’s help."

In Venezuela, “Let us pray to the Lord to inspire and enlighten the parties involved, so that they may reach an agreement as soon as possible that will put an end to the suffering of the people for the good of the country and the entire region.”

In a tweet yesterday Pope Francis called for respect of life. For the Pontifical Academy for life, Lambert’s death is "a defeat for our humanity".

"These least ones are abandoned and cheated into dying in the desert; these least ones are tortured, abused and violated in detention camps; these least ones face the waves of an unforgiving sea; these least ones are left in reception camps too long for them to be called temporary".

 "We must always pray to the "master of the harvest ", that is God the Father, to send labourers to work in his field which is the world".  The mission is based on prayer;  which requires detachment and poverty;  which brings peace and healing, which is not proselytism but proclamation and testimony.

Francis sends a message to the Forum of the Laudato Si communities, engaged this year on the theme of the Amazon and its exploitation: "Man cannot remain an indifferent spectator in the face of this destruction, nor can the Church remain silent: the  cry of the poor must resound from her mouth ”.

The country, which for years has been tormented by a conflict with pro-Russian separatists, was among the topics addressed in Francis's conversation with Putin.

Press release says: “During the cordial discussions, both Parties expressed their satisfaction at the development of bilateral relations, further strengthened by the protocol of understanding signed today regarding the collaboration between the “Bambino Gesù” Paediatric Hospital and the paediatric hospitals of the Russian Federation.”

The event will mark the 6th anniversary of Francis’s visit to Lampedusa. The service will be broadcast live by Vatican Media, but the press is not expected to be present inside the Basilica.

In today's Angelus, Francis spoke about the Gospel of Luke: "Jesus' decision is radical and total, and those who follow him are called to measure themselves against it.” The Church "is open to the broadest horizons, sent – the Church has been sent! – to bring the Gospel to the streets and reach out into the peripheries of humanity and existence”. The Pope mentioned Trump's visit to Korea and his crossing into the North: "May this meeting serve to build peace.”

On the solemnity of the two apostles, patron saints of the city of Rome, Pope Francis blessed 31 pallia for the archbishops and metropolitans ordained this year, including the archbishops of Cotabato (Philippines), Hà Nôi (Vietnam), Nagpur (India), Medan (Indonesia), Mandalay (Myanmar). The two apostles did not have “neat and linear” lives; indeed, the “Lord does not work miracles with those who consider themselves righteous, but with those who know themselves needy.” For the pope, the witness “is not someone who knows the story of Jesus, but someone who has experienced a love story with Jesus.” In his letters, “Paul repeats this name constantly, almost four hundred times”. Thus, “Let us ask for the grace not to be lukewarm Christians living by half measures, allowing our love to grow cold.”

During the Angelus, Pope Francis called on everyone to say "my Church", not "with a sense of exclusive belonging, but with inclusive love". Peter and Paul "call upon us to rediscover the joy of being brothers and sisters in the Church". The pontiff urged the faithful to “recognise others’ gifts without malice or envy.” He also greeted pilgrims from Vietnam.

For the PIME missionary, the document released yesterday answers some of the perplexities of conscience of many Chinese priests. But it fails to realise the deep restrictions, which undermine the Catholic faith, to which the Church in China is subjected. He hopes that the Holy See will also speak with the Chinese authorities to protect individuals' freedom of conscience and prevent the use of religion for political purposes.