Iran

Three of the five most dangerous countries in the world are in the Middle East (Syria, Yemen and Iraq). Iran has focused on tourism to boost its economy. Despite US sanctions, the number of foreign visitors in Iran rose by 51 per cent in the first six months of the current fiscal year. Such growth is "unprecedented".

In Jesus the Commandments are no longer a series of negative prescriptions, "but the very flesh of Christ, who loves us, seeks us, forgives us, comforts us and in his Body recomposes communion with the Father, lost because of the disobedience of sin".

Syrian opposition members will also be present, together with the UN special envoy on Syria and - for the first time - delegates from Jordan. The meeting is supported by Russia, Turkey and Iran. The most burning issue is the situation of Idlib. The Syrian Red Crescent delegation that recently presided over an exchange of prisoners, also invited.

"This week let us ask the Holy Spirit for the wisdom of time, the wisdom of the end, the wisdom of the resurrection, the wisdom of eternal encounter with Jesus; let us understand this wisdom that is in our faith. An encounter with Jesus will be a day of joy ".

Helping the poor, even with "little things", enlarges the heart and leads to magnanimity. Faced with the statistics of poverty in the world, with the children who are dying of hunger, the good attitude is to ask oneself: "But how can I solve this?". It arises from the concern to do good.

Tunisian President Caid Essebsi has proposed changes accepted by the Tunisian cabinet. Under Sharia women inherit half the share men get. For the first time the principle of true equality between the sexes is realised in the Muslim world, breaking with the Sharia. Still, the new law is not contrary to the Quran.

No reports of victims so far. A number of aftershocks followed the main earthquake. Many have slept outdoors despite the cold. The shock also felt in Kuwait, Baghdad, Erbil. At least 21 dead in northern Iraq due to floods.

"Jesus asks us to let Him become our king". "But we must not forget that the kingdom of Jesus is not of this world. He will be able to give a new meaning to our life, sometimes also tested by our mistakes and our sins, only on condition that we do not follow the logic of the world and its 'kings' ". Yesterday the Holodomor anniversary, "terrible famine caused by the Soviet regime that caused millions of victims".

Francis appoints members of the Organizing Committee, which include Card. Gracias. The meeting will include people who have been abused by the clergy.

US Defense Secretary Mattis says government and rebels will be present at the meeting. A timid recovery of international efforts following the failure of the Geneva summit in September. At least 85,000 children under the age of five have starved to death since the beginning of the war.

Francis speaks in a video-message released for the 34th World Youth Day in Panama next January centred on ‘I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word’.

The last part of the Ten Commandments is aimed at bringing “man to his truth, that is, to his poverty, which becomes authentic openness, personal openness to the mercy of God, Who transforms and renews us.” Likewise, “Let us keep in mind that all the commandments have the task of indicating the boundary of life, the limit beyond which man destroys himself and his neighbour, breaking down his relationship with God.”