In a letter in poem form, Liu Xia, wife of the great dissident, says she is "going crazy" after years living in isolation without the possibility of meeting anyone. In Shenzhen, the work of a Chinese-French artist focuses on Liu Xiaobo’s imprisonment and Nobel Prize. The author and his wife are currently in custody.

In Satna, Hindu extremists held Catholics hostage. “The charge of conversion on which the priests and seminarians were detained is frivolous and laughable,” said Mgr Mascarenhas. It is time “to go beyond words and promises”. Hindu terrorists “have taken on the garb of ‘religious police”.

Fr Samir describes an atmosphere of joy and hope, despite the lack of resources and less aid. The struggle for survival has boosted the bond between Christians, Muslims, and Yazidis. About 150 refugee families are still living at the centre, 70 per cent depending on resources provided by the Church. Hundreds of young people attend the prayer meeting in preparation for Christmas.

The epicentre was at a depth of six kilometres in Tasikmalaya (West Java). The quake was felt in Jakarta as well. More than 70 buildings were badly damaged. The dead were killed by collapsing walls. Churches also suffered damages.

Fighting between the Myanmar military and rebels has recently resumed. More than 120,000 people live in 167 refugee camps since 2011. Despite tensions, Pope Francis’s words of peace continue to echo in the country. Catholic leaders undertake initiatives of reconciliation.

The date of the elections, 18 March 2018, is the anniversary of the referendum of Crimea’s annexation. The president wants to be seen as "father of the nation". His re-election is almost a forgone conclusion. He backs pro-life NGOs and claims a "personal" success in Syria. An exhibition opens centred on the Romanov tsars and the Vatican.