Dario Salvi

The Chaldean patriarchate cancelled all Christmas and New Year celebrations. The money saved will go to orphanages and hospitals, to treat the wounded. Christians are part of Iraq’s "reform movement” for a pluralist "new Iraq", but they also need "support" from the West. Christians must "read the signs of the times" and assert that "Christ is for everyone".

The "voluntary repatriation" operations took place through the border crossing points of Masnaa, Qaa, Abboudiyé and Zamrani. Damascus collaborated with the authorities in Beirut. Before leaving, children given vaccination. At the height of the crisis, Lebanon welcomed nearly two million refugees.

From 30 November to 2 December, the movement celebrated a quarter century in the Gulf with meetings, stories, Masses and confessions. The Pope granted Participants a special indulgence. “We are alive because we bring the joy of our encounter with Jesus to others,” said Bishop Padilla.

This is what emerges at the end of the meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Muscat and Tehran. The Islamic Republic is also in favor of reducing tension in the area, resurrecting the Hormuz peace initiative. The Sultanate is ready to deploy its own means to "launch a constructive dialogue".

For Mgr Warduni, young protesters need to feel "our solidarity and closeness". The pontiff "has at heart" the future of the nation, not only of Christians. Problems must be tacked and resolved "from the ground up". Yesterday, Parliament accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mahdi. Protests continue however across the country with more casualties.

A crowd of faithful greeted the arrival of the precious relic for the beginning of the Christmas celebrations. It will be exhibited in St. Catherine’s Church, adjacent to the Basilica of the Nativity. Monsignor Pizzaballa: a sign of the Pope's "profound attention". Custodian of the Holy Land: "Beautiful gift".

In Sunday’s Mass, the Iraqi Church will express its closeness to Sunni and Shia protesters who have died recently. The Patriarch hopes the bloodshed will be the “seed of a sound and radical solution to build a homeland of justice and independence.” Although Iraq’s Prime Minister announced his resignation, a solution to the crisis remains elusive. Meanwhile, more protesters die.

The United States’ maximum pressure campaign has undermined the political agenda of the Iranian president in favour of his domestic adversaries, first and foremost Iran’s right-wing circles and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Founded as a political and military force, it is now a business empire. Amid the decline of Iran’s private sector, the civilian population is feeling the repercussions. Article originally published by Lobelog.

About 29 dead in Nassiriya, four victims in Baghdad and 12 in Najaf, a Shiite holy city. In Nassiriya thousands of people defy the curfew to pay homage to the dead. Paramilitary forces ready to thwart attacks on Shiite religious offices. The protesters intend to continue in the struggle.

Lebanon’s political crisis is affecting Syrians in the country. It is impossible to withdraw money from local banks. The local currency has collapsed and dollars cannot be found. The consumer society has lost its appeal. A life of austerity is boosting solidarity and bonds between people. Russian tour operators organise trips to Syria. The Turkish offensive in north-eastern Syria continues to worry.

Security forces opened fire on protesters in Nassiriya. At least 50 people injured, some of them seriously. The police attacked to regain control of two strategic bridges. Tehran condemns the attack on diplomatic representation; the authorities decree a curfew.

The Church provides protesters with "food and shelter” every week. Schools and public buildings are closed in several southern cities. Six more people died yesterday in Baghdad in three separate explosions that no one has claimed. For Bishop Habib Jajou, ordinary Iraqis are suffering from poverty, whilst young people want social justice.