Middle East

In his first Mass in Bangkok, Pope Francis talked about the "missionary disciple" who "goes out" to offer everyone the gift of the Word of Jesus and about the "children, girls and women exposed to prostitution and trafficking”. The missionary disciple “is not a mercenary of the faith or a producer of proselytes, but rather a humble mendicant who feels the absence of brothers, sisters and mothers with whom to share the irrevocable gift of reconciliation that Jesus grants to all.”

The Turkish president says he understands the problems of minorities and has pledged a "contribution" to reconstruction. But his anti-Kurdish offensive has led to violence against Christians as well. In Diyarbakir, Christians complain that they are getting “no support from the State.” In Syria, Christians say “we are afraid for our children and our families.”

"The international community acts with responsibility and foresight", to "solve the problems that lead to this tragic exodus". Freedom, dialogue, fraternity and the protection of children are the other themes touched by Pope Francis today in Thailand dedicated to meetings with the country's political, civil and religious authorities and also to healthcare workers and patients cared for in a Catholic hospital.

21 days remain for a possible outsider to find a majority of 61 seats in Parliament. Otherwise there will be new elections. Possibility of a unity government between Likud and Blue and White quashed. Netanyahu, and his trial, continue to polarize national politics.

The Iranian president claims protests were successfully suppressed. Today thousands march in support of the government. For Supreme leader Khamenei, protests were not a grassroot movement but a “security” issue. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expresses concerns over the excessive use of force.

The number of deaths dropped by 15.2 per cent over previous year. At least 71 countries have had at least one casualty. This is the second highest since the start of the century. For the first time since 2003, Iraq does not have the highest number of attacks and victims, following the collapse of the Islamic State group.

Video message from Francis on the occasion of Youth Day organized in the northern dioceses of Vietnam. "Every path given by our Lord is always a missionary momentum". "I would like to entrust to the Lord, Merciful Father, the thirty-nine Vietnamese migrants who died in England last month."

After arriving, Francis travelled by car to the nunciature to have lunch, rest and in the afternoon, celebrate Mass in private. The first appointments and the first speeches, 8 only in the Thai stage, will begin tomorrow, November 21st.

Overnight Israeli air raids on targets around the capital. The operation in response to the rockets fired yesterday at the Israeli Golan Heights. Syrian sources speak of intercepted rockets. The Israeli army says it has hit targets belonging to the Iranian Quds special forces.

This morning the pontiff prayed before the image of Mary, Salus populi romani. His flight for Bangkok is at 7pm, arrival tomorrow. Here is the schedule of Francis’s 32nd apostolic trip.

The Pasdaran threaten "decisive" action in case of more protests. The Internet is still down, and, according to witnesses, protests continue. Schools in scores of cities remain closed and security forces patrol the streets. One thousand people have been arrested.

Nabeshima Tomohisa, 52, kannushi (chief priest) of the shrine of Yutoku Inari in Kashima (Saga prefecture, Kyushu island, speaks of his hopes linked to the visit of Pope Francis to Japan (November 23-26). "Although of different religions, we have the same heart and the same desires to express: above all the gift of peace for the world". "Christianity is a religion of foreigners but Christ and Mary are like our uncles and aunts who live next to us".