Bernardo Cervellera

The apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis, which followed the Synod on the Youth was released today. The world of young people has enemies that renders them "slaves": advertising, physical appearances, division with the adult world, a globalization that "homogenizes". The Christian announcement is the most effective way to lay the foundations for a profound renewal of society. A "popular youth ministry" that welcomes and accompanies those who do not live the faith.

The Jesuit missionary from Macerata inaugurated an era that lasted for centuries and helped China to modernize and emerge from isolation. The 800 missionaries - including those from PIME - brought Western medicine, hospitals, girls schools, new agricultural crops, universities to China. Why Xi is not going to the Vatican. During the Cultural Revolution, the left-wing Italian parties praised Mao, hiding his massacres and failures. The fragility of Xi Jinping, opposed in China by the "leftist" fringes.

Fears of a "debt trap" as has been the case for some countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan. The EU countries of Eastern Europe that already collaborate with Beijing are in debt. Poland's trade deficit with China rose from 10.3 billion dollars in 2012 to 28.4 billion. The new law on foreign investments, the result of US and EU pressure.

Since the signing of the agreement, members of the non-official communities have been forced to join the PA and its "independent" Church project. It is said that the underground Church "must disappear". But Pope Francis’ message speaks only of "reconciliation". Card. Filoni demands that PA membership not be mandatory, as under Chinese law. But there are bishops and priests who acclaim unity through "erasing" the underground community. The time has come for clarity, perhaps in a meeting between Pope Francis and the Chinese president.

Mgr Cui Tai told AsiaNews that the "charismatic" activities of Fr Zhang Li are distorted and do not follow episcopal guidelines. His concept of "unity" is not that of the Holy See. The priest wants to see the underground community eliminated, absorbed by the official Church.

Yesterday, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference began; tomorrow the National People’s Assembly opens. Population view it as "useless and boring". Economic growth, tariff war, fight against poverty, the conquest of space ... But two issues are not addressed: economic reforms and criticism of Xi Jinping.

In the Message for Lent 2019, Pope Francis reiterates the urgency of a "human ecology" that returns to a relationship with God, eliminating "destructive behavior towards our neighbours and other creatures – and ourselves as well – since we begin to think more or less consciously that we can use them as we will". The "Laudato si '" and the (forgotten) "deviated anthropocentrism". Prayer, fasting, almsgiving are signs of a revolution that "also includes history and all creation".

The criticism: "just words"; it "has a theosophical foundation". In reality, the document traces the path for cooperation in all fields: for the rebirth of the religious dimension to counter nihilistic materialism; for the defense of life from its beginning to its natural end; for the education of young people. The basis for affirming freedom of conscience, full citizenship for Christians in Islamic countries; the dignity of women. Some similarities with Benedict XVI's Regensburg address, falsely interpreted as "contrary to Islam".

Pope Francis travels to the Emirates from February 3 to 5. An area marked by enormous wealth, abysmal injustices, cruel wars, political-religious dictatorships. Coexistence between religions and peoples. Migrants in the UAE (80% of the population) are essential to the economy. One million Catholic faithful from the Philippines, India, the Middle East, Korea. The hope for peace in Yemen.

In a meeting on religious freedom in China in the Brussels office of the European Parliament, the testimonies of Protestant Christians, Uighurs, Catholics. The voices of Tibetan Buddhists, Taoists and sects. The intervention offered by the editor of AsiaNews.

"Too many things" are politicized in Hong Kong, the prelate explains. The exclusion of auxiliary Msgr. He "suggests" that he is among the candidates for office. Thanks to the choice of Msgr. Tong the diocese will continue its work.

Celebrating Christmas and New Year are banned in Iraq, India and China because they are "foreign” festivities. Christianity is associated with the West. Religious opposition is politically motivated, in the West as well. The United States and the United Kingdom want to defend Christians in the Middle East but have provided weapons that have ended up in the hands of Islamic fundamentalists in Syria. In Italy, some politicians have warned against an "Islamic invasion" but have failed to adopt policies that help families and boost the birthrate. Building bridges and working for coexistence in mutual respect and witness should be the goal.