Dario Salvi

Reformist, moderate and conservative newspapers give ample coverage to the meeting between the two leaders in Najaf. Seen as an opportunity for a breakthrough with a view to detente in Iraq. the newspaper "Sazandegi" describes the leaders as "standard bearers of world peace". Their personal encounter "the most effective event" in a perspective of "dialogue between religions".

Fr Paul, parish priest in Karamles, spoke how he felt seeing Pope Francis kiss the wooden cross made from pieces of his church destroyed by jihadis. The pontiff leaves “a scent of celebration that overcomes the stench [. . .] of death.” Mosul Eye notes that the Islamic State wanted to invade Rome, but today its bishop prayed for the city.

Saad Salloum notes that al-Sistani's Islam is “different from that in Qom” and is “open to other religions”. In his view, “The roots of the Iraqi tree are Christian.” Iranian scholar says that Al-Sistani is a “good choice” to convey a “message of peace” to the Islamic world. Even in Israel the balance with the Muslim world is changing, says pacifist rabbi.

In Baghdad, the Chaldean patriarch led a prayer vigil on the eve of the Pope’s arrival. For many, his presence is considered an invitation to remain in the country and build bridges with the world. Young people have the task of keeping their presence alive. The warning to politicians to overturn their "Pharisaic" attitude (Part II).

The Papal visit bears three messages: hope, peace and coexistence and it is a “dream come true". A thank you to the Yazidis for their support over the years. Sunni Muslim: "We want to pray together with Christians", a stimulus from the Pope "to arise and rebuild".

More and more people are demonstrating under the motto: "We have nothing more to lose, because we have already lost everything". The protests involve several cities nationwide, with blocked roads and burning tires. The Lebanese pound collapses, the black market exchange rate is at 10 thousand per US dollar.

To participate in the major pilgrimage, it will be "mandatory" to demonstrate immunization. Doubts about the presence of faithful from abroad. Riyadh started the vaccination campaign on December 17. Since the beginning of the pandemic, almost 380 thousand infections and 6,500 deaths.

Yesterday, someone set fire to the entrance of the Romanian Orthodox monastery in Jerusalem. The quick action of a priest prevented serious damage. This is the fourth such incidents in a month, caught on camera, but the police have so far failed to act. The chancellor of the Latin Patriarchate calls for a stop to the spiral of violence and better security measures to protect the Christian community.

Eight other members of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, including his wife, also sentenced - again in absentia. Defendants deprived of civil rights will not be able to participate in elections in 2022 and 2023. Activists and experts speak of a politically motivated ruling. The dissolved party announces a battle.

The prayer is set for 6 pm at the Shrine of Our Lady Stella Maris, Haifa. The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries in the Holy Land will call upon Our Lady of Mount Carmel to comfort mourners, heal the sick, and give strength to healers. Since the start of the outbreak, more than 112 million people have been infected by the virus and 2.5 million have died worldwide.

The latest scandal, which has been ignored so far, has led to the arrest of 20 arms dealers and go-betweens. The sale of “suicide drones” to China is in the crosshairs. Israel's secret police moved in to stop sales too “hot” for relations with Washington.

Government gives the go-ahead for Muslims to collaborate in the construction or restoration of Christian places of worship. A decision that follows the fatwa issued at the end of January by the Egyptian grand mufti. But some of the faithful are against it: "Christianity is blasphemy".