Dario Salvi

Tran Duc Thach, founder of the “online Brotherhood for Democracy” movement, was arrested on April 23 and charged with activities aimed at “overthrowing the government”. The lawyer denounces violations of the right to defense. At least 25 bloggers and dissidents locked up in prisons where mistreatment is "common practice".

For Bishop Giuse Đỗ Mạnh Hùng, prayers are needed to overcome the “plague” of the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and psychological aid is given to HIV-positive people. Caritas has provided food parcels for those who have nothing to eat. In recent years the number of children with HIV has tripled.

The Pope's visit in March is a source of “emotion and an enormous grace.” Hopefully, a meeting with al-Sistani in Najaf will take place. After major steps and gestures towards Sunni Islam, now “it is time to do the same with Shias.” The Pope “will find the warmth of the people, their love, a welcome that will be a source of great emotion.”

Yesterday morning a ship packed with explosives rammed an oil tanker off the port of Jeddah. No casualties or injuries among the 22 sailors on board. Possible spill of crude oil into the sea. There are currently no official claims, but Saudi suspicions converge on Houthi rebels in Yemen.

In his Sunday homily, the Maronite patriarch attacked the “political and sectarian” turn taken by the investigation into the port explosion. He warned that “the time of responsibility has come” to avert a “national schism”. Former Prime Minister Hassan Diab and three former ministers have been indicted.

Germany, Italy, France and Austria have withdrawn their attendance at an event (online due to Covid-19) scheduled for today in the Iranian capital. A protest over the death sentence carried out against the dissident journalist. Paris terms it "barbaric and unacceptable". Tehran summons ambassadors.

Bishop Rubén Tierrablanca González has been in critical conditions for the past week at the Koç University Hospital. After testing positive 10 days ago, his health quickly deteriorated. Almost 1,8 million people have tested positive in Turkey since the start of the pandemic with almost 16,000 deaths.

The Palestinian authorities have restricted liturgical services to the clergy. The isolation imposed by the novel coronavirus has led to the rediscovery of the family. For Fr Rami, this Christmas will be a special celebration because it is an “opportunity to focus on the essential”. It will bring joy “that is not worldly” but “stems from faith”.

In a letter to the faithful, Card Sako underlines the value of the pontiff's presence "for peace, reconciliation, stability and coexistence". For Christians it is also "an opportunity to pilgrim towards our original roots to make a conversion and hold onto our Iraqi Christian identity." It is a further stage on the path of dialogue "with religions, especially Islam".

US President Trump applauds the "historic" signature in the framework of the "Abrahamic Accords". He is also satisfied by the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is pressing for "direct relations and flights". An "important" step also for the Egyptian president al-Sisi. Harsh condemnation of Hamas. The White House grants recognition of Rabat's sovereignty over Western Sahara.

Fr Samir, parish priest in Kurdistan, recounts the atmosphere of joy and excitement over the apostolic journey in March. The pontiff sends a message to Iraq, a "new country where everyone can live in peace". The news on Christian and Muslim media and social networks. For Card Sako it will be an "opportunity for unity and support".

The Syriac Orthodox bishop died on Monday in a Damascus hospital from an incurable disease. Syrian Christians lose a man who was “a point of reference” during years of wars and violence. For the president of the Aramean Federation in Switzerland, the bishop “courageously stayed to lead his faithful, passing on trust, security and hope to them.”