Dario Salvi

Francis speaks about his “dear Ukraine", warning against "certain halls" where war “is planned". The pontiff offered his prayers to the victims of natural disasters in Slovenia and Georgia and their families. He expressed a final thought for the presidents of the countries of the Amazon region, reiterating his “commitment to the care of creation and sustainable development”.

The next WYD will see Asia’s Catholic Church resume normal activities after the pandemic (and the cancellation of Asian Youth Day in India in 2020). Contacts between the Vatican and South Korea have already begun, ahead of an event that can boost the GDP of the host country. Young South Koreans travelling home from Portugal are full of enthusiasm. With the coming edition, hope is possible for a "spring of peace on the Korean peninsula".

An op-ed in the newspaper Okaz suggests changing the weekend in the kingdom, the cradle of Islam. Friday would become a working day, while the weekend would be on Saturday and Sunday, like the world’s main financial centres. This has sparked a debate online with many opposed to what is tantamount to following the People of the Book.

Francis closed the 37th World Youth Day with a final Mass, on Transfiguration Sunday, calling on young people to have "courage" and work for an end to conflicts, starting with the one in “dear Ukraine", which “continues to suffer a lot”. In his thanks (obrigado), he singled out grandparents for their faith and Saint John Paul II for establishing WYD. In his homily, the pontiff urged believers to "shine, listen and be unafraid” by following the example of Christ.

A group of 17 young Bangladeshis travelled to Portugal for WYD but also on a journey to discover the land and the roots of their faith, to be proclaimed back home. In Fatima this morning, Pope Francis described the Church as a “mother”, noting that Our Lady is “in a hurry” to be close to us.

Today's news: China’s economic losses from natural disasters in July reach US$ 7.74 billion. Since the February 2021 coup, the ruling junta has destroyed more than 16,500 homes in major cities. South Koreans are increasingly dissatisfied with their lives. The Saudi Embassy in Lebanon urges Saudis to leave the country. India's Supreme Court suspends the conviction of opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. Kyrgyzstan wants to build hydropower plants on the Naryn River.

Today's news: Three Christians seized by soldiers in Myanmar’s Chin State are dead; a pastor taken with them escaped. In Seongnam, South Korea, a young man drives a car into people and stabs passers-by, injuring 14 people. Mongolia wants greater cooperation with the US in rare earth mining. Afghanistan and Pakistan accuse each other of poor border controls. Politically motivated executions increase in Iran. Russia’s Baltic fleet began Ocean Shield 2023 naval drill.

At the Portuguese Catholic University, Francis urged students to be teachers of hope, and told them to “replace your doubts with dreams: do not remain hostage to your fears”. At the nunciature, he prayed with young Ukrainians. In Cascais , at the Scholas Occurrentes, he gave a final “touch” to a three-kilometre mural .

Today's news: China is set to restrict Internet access for children and minors. India is on high alert following violence between Muslims and Hindus in Haryana that left at least six dead. Japan and Taiwan brace for Typhoon Khanun. Vietnam plans to export two million doses of African swine fever vaccine by October. Russian lawmakers want toys to be “ideologically” certified. The Kazakh-Afghan forum opens in Astana, but the Taliban remain an issue.

Pope Francis began his visit to the World Youth Day with a meeting with Portuguese authorities. In his address to the country’s leaders, he focused on life, slammed euthanasia laws as copouts, and expressed concerns over military spending. Borders must be transcended, in his view, and be “places of contact” instead. He calls on the Old Continent to provide an impetus for a "diplomacy of peace".

Today's news: Hong Kong’s new cardinal says a liaison office is a matter “between the two governments," but stresses his diocese’s role as a potential "bridge" between China and the Vatican. India and Bhutan report a significant rise in the number of wild tigers. The United Arab Emirates will allow protesters to “assemble peacefully” during COP28. A “delicacy" in many countries, frog legs shortages are reported in Indonesia and Vietnam. Russia speeds up building its own "sovereign internet".

China plans to set up channels to let people report suspicious activities. Masses participating in defence operations will be the new normal. A recently expanded law makes it easier to go after foreign companies involved in regular business activities. Meanwhile, President Xi wants China’s military to speed up their modernisation.