Franco Pisano

In a telegram of condolences, Pope Francis cites his “generous service to the Church in Malaysia and his longstanding commitment to the promotion of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue”.

On the banks of the Jordan River, "there is therefore all of humanity, with its unexpressed yearning for prayer. There is, above all, the population of sinners: those who thought they were not beloved by God, those who did not dare cross the threshold of the temple, those who did not pray because they did not consider themselves worthy. Jesus came for everyone, even for them, and He begins precisely by joining them”. Participation in the "pain of the families of school children killed in Kumba, Cameroon".

Francis releases a letter to mark several European anniversaries. “Christians today have a great responsibility: they are called to serve as a leaven in reviving Europe’s conscience and help to generate processes capable of awakening new energies in society.”

A group of young Muslims, descrated and danced on the cross, an act causing widespread concern. According to Msgr. Pamplani, Church leaders fear possibility of ISIS supporters being groomed in Kerala.

“The world, without mothers, has no future: profits and profits, alone, do not give a future, on the contrary at times they increase inequality and injustice. Mothers, on the other hand, make every child feel at home and give hope”.

The Apostolic Penitentiary makes public a decree extending the period of indulgence for people who cannot leave home and in order to prevent large gatherings in places where they are banned. The guidelines are also for those who are in isolation or sick. Priests are asked to be more available under the circumstances.

It has "great ecclesial and pastoral value". An Osservatore Romano article states “there is a need to recognise that there are situations of great suffering. The Holy See is deeply aware of this, takes it into account and does not fail to draw the attention of the Chinese government to encourage a more fruitful exercise of religious freedom.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I received an honorary doctorate of philosophy from the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome on the occasion of the start of the academic year. For the patriarch, “the reason for progress is false and inappropriate, when the house of humankind is destroyed and people are mowed down.” In his view, “All attempts to establish a just society need a reference to an ‘Absolute’. For us this 'Absolute' is Jesus Christ”.

The missionary month of October "represents an urgent invitation for Christians to all feel responsible in furthering the Kingdom of God". The Psalms a "school of encounter with God and of responsibility alongside the poor and the weak".

“All too many conflicts are presently in course. To leaders of nations we say: let us work together to create a new architecture of peace. Let us join forces to promote life, health, education and peace." Francis: "God will ask for an account, from those who have not sought peace or have fomented tensions and conflicts".

The international meeting ‘No One Is Saved Alone – Peace and Fraternity’ began in Rome today with separate prayers by representatives of different religions. “Thinking only of ourselves: this is the father of all evils,” said Francis. “This is a great temptation. It spares no one, including us Christians. The temptation to think only of saving ourselves and our own circle. To focus only on our own problems and interests, as if nothing else mattered. It is a very human instinct, but wrong.”

The University of the Philippine Population Institute (UPPI) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warn of dire consequences as the number of “planned" pregnancies are expected to reach 2.5 million by the end of the year. During his visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis warned against forms of "ideological colonization" that threaten the family.