Bernardo Cervellera

Fines of up to 134 euros, tenfold if there are relapsers. Even hoods and fake beards that hide the face are forbidden. For Amnesty International, the law violates freedom of expression and religion. Muslims in Denmark are 4% of the population.

Card Joseph Zen backs the appeal. The bishop, who is recognised by the Holy See but not by the government, has spent many years doing forced labour and under house arrest.

The memory of the holy martyrs exalts the glory of Christ before the world. A blogger priest posted his thoughts urging the faithful not to forget the martyrs canonised during the Jubilee of 2000. In parallel, the authorities took down a statue dedicated to one of those martyrs, erected in front of a church in Yongnian (Hebei). The priest’s online post was also removed.

At the Angelus Pope Francis emphasizes that God does not want "to reveal to us that He exists, but rather that He is "God with us ", who loves us, is interested in our personal history and cares for everyone". The task of every baptized person is to "immerse every human being in this ocean which is the love of God; a love that lifts us from sin, heals the wounds of the soul and gives us salvation ". The beatification of Sr Leonella Sgorbati, a martyr killed in hatred of faith.

At the general audience yesterday, Pope Francis asked for prayers for the Church in China on the feast of Our Lady of Sheshan. And he cited the "difficulties" in which the faithful live. The persecution does not overwhelm only Catholics, but also Protestants, Muslims and Buddhists. Defending religious freedom also serves the economy. The forecasts of sociologists: by 2030, China will be home to the world’s highest number of Christians.

Pope Francis made the announcement during this morning’s consistory. Four other blessed will become saints: two Italians, one German and one Spanish-Argentinian.

In various parts of the country, some churches have been forcibly shut down or incorporated into the official body. Kindergartens have also been closed. Participants in a memorial service for the victims of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake have been arrested. The government fears a religious renaissance.

Tensions lighten in tariff war. The visit of Liu He, economic advisor to Xi Jinping, in Washington, decisive.

The document "Oeconomicae et pecuniariae quaestiones" published today asks people to work to combine "technical knowledge and human wisdom", interests and charity, exchange and gift. All the crises of the last 10 years. The lack of ethics makes financial institutions, banks and companies "criminal associations". Not a populist trick, but the Social Doctrine of the Church. The commitment of civil society. The dignity of the ordinary person across cultures.

The inter-Korean meeting was to be held today in Panmunjom. Criticism of the joint military exercises between the South and the USA judged as a preparation for the "invasion" of the North. Critics of John Bolton's suggestions of a "Libyan model" to denuclearize the peninsula. Bolton is "repugnant". Rejection of total denuclearization. The influence of China.

The Metropolitan of Volokolamsk, head of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for Foreign Relations, is concerned about the lack of relations and dialogue between the US and Russia. There is a need to make sure that "the cold war does not grow into a real war".

The occasion could be the Island’s Eucharistic Congress. Abp. Hung will see the Pope on May 14th on his ad limina visit. "China and Taiwan are two churches, two nations, two different ways of life". On the island there are 300 priests and nuns from mainland China who study at the Catholic University of Furen.