The words of Shah Ahmed Shafi, a radical cleric, have caused quite a stir. Later, he blamed the media for misquoting him. For activist, “He would like to take us back 100 years.”

The Kumbh Mela, the largest Hindu gathering in the world, opened today in Allahabad. Earlier this month, a scientist at a congress said that scientific phenomenon would be named after Narendra Modi. Mythology and tradition are being reinterpreted from a nationalistic point of view.

Francis sends a message to the meeting of the presidents of the Doctrinal Commissions of the Bishops’ Conferences of Asia with a delegation from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The task is to proclaim that Jesus is the only saviour, whilst showing respect and appreciation for other religions. Correcting and purifying cultures must be done with "prudence and discretion", without using "arrogant and aggressive methods". The focus is on helping small basic ecclesial communities to mature in faith and life. The bishop of Poona laid out plans at the Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India of the Latin rite.

Francis writes a Letter for the 25th anniversary of the Pontifical Academy for Life. "On the one hand, appeals are made to alleged rights, arbitrary and non-essential in nature, accompanied by the demand that they be recognized and promoted by public structures, while, on the other hand, elementary and basic rights remain unacknowledged and are violated in much of the world”.

Christian leader Sobhy Makhoul speaks of clashes between Israeli factions and parties fighting each other. An exhibition with a work that depicts the Ronald McDonald crucified like Jesus. The leaders of the Churches of Jerusalem ask for "respect" and renew the invitation to promote tolerance.