North Asia

In 2015 inflation will hit double digits for the first time in seven years. Sanctions, fall in oil prices and the ruble devaluation affect consumer prices, which become the main topic among Russians, overcoming the Ukrainian crisis. The Kremlin orders the judiciary to monitor prices and payments of salaries, while the Communists want to prices of some products fixed, against all the rules of the free market.

Meeting in Colombo with representatives of the religions present in the country. "Dialogue will accentuate how varied our beliefs, traditions and practices are. But if we are honest in presenting our convictions, we will be able to see more clearly what we hold in common. New avenues will be opened for mutual esteem, cooperation and indeed friendship".

Authorities label it the "largest gathering" in the history of France. People of all nationalities and religions marched together in a sign of unity and solidarity. The 56 heads of state include Palestinian President Abbas and Israeli Premier Netanyahu. A Moroccan living in London: "These fundamentalists do not represent Islam."

Yesterday's huge rally did not show a lot of 'liberté', 'égalité' and 'fraternité'. People demonstrated for freedom of expression, but in Russia and Turkey - who were represented at the event - detain journalists and bloggers. Political leaders were afraid of marching with ordinary people. Changing Schengen rules threatens to divide Europe along a north-south axis. Little solidarity was shown to the daily victims of terrorism in Syria, Iraq, and Nigeria. European countries sell weapons to Al Nusra Front and the Islamic State. Living side by side and education are necessary for a true 'fraternité'.

In his address to diplomats Francis speaks of a "true world war fought piecemeal", evoking, among other conflicts those in the Middle East, Nigeria, Pakistan and Libya, but also the attacks in Paris, the rapes, the rejection of migrants and refugees and the "discarding" of the elderly, young people and even the family. The highlights of the new relations between the US and Cuba, the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue, the desire to close Guantanamo, the fight against Ebola, interreligious dialogue in Turkey, the peaceful coexistence between different faiths in Albania.

Let "us pray for those mothers - and there are too many of them, unfortunately - who are not in a position to feed their children. Let us pray and try to help these mothers. [. . .] It is very important to pray to the Holy Spirit to teach us to carry on the family, so that these children grow up in the atmosphere of the Holy Trinity."

During the Angelus, Francis called on the faithful to pray for his trip to Sri Lanka and the Philippines, which he undertakes tomorrow. With Jesus' baptism, which is celebrated today, the time of "closed skies", i.e. the separation between God and man, is over. For the pontiff, "The earth has become God's dwelling among men and women".

"One can conduct a thousand courses of catechesis, a thousand courses in spirituality, a thousand courses in yoga, Zen, and all such things. But all this will never be able to give one the son's freedom."

Pictures of the two suspects published. A third suspect handed himself over voluntarily. The satirical Parisian newspaper has often targeted religions. One of the most violent attacks in the past 50 years. The sympathy of the Vatican; the condemnation by the UN and almost all Islamic countries reaffirm the idea that "Islam is against violence." Observatory for Islamophobia: radicalism and violence are the worst enemies of Islam.

Yesterday's attack "brings to mind so much cruelty - human cruelty - so much terrorism, both isolated [incidents of] terrorism and of state terrorism," the pope said, adding, "of how much cruelty is man capable!" Hence, "We pray, in this Mass, for the victims of this cruelty - so many of them - and we pray also for the perpetrators of such cruelty, that the Lord might change their heart."

Francis met a Yazidi delegation led by the community's head, Tahsin Said Ali Beg, and their supreme spiritual leader, the "Baba Sheikh," Skeikh Kato.

In the Donbass region, parishes cancelled Vigil celebrations, holding liturgical services only today. Moscow patriarch focused his message on peace in Ukraine. He also urged the faithful to be orthodox in everyday life, not only in public opinion polls.