Russia

Francis celebrates the last Mass of the trip in Ciudad Juárez, a few meters from the border with the US. Faithful on both sides of the wire mesh that divides the two countries. " Each step, a journey laden with grave injustices: the enslaved, the imprisoned and extorted; so many of these brothers and sisters of ours are the consequence of a trade in human beings".

Francis visited prison inmates in Ciudad Juárez. “The problem of security is not resolved only by incarcerating; rather, it calls us to intervene by confronting the structural and cultural causes of insecurity that impact the entire social framework. [. . .] Social reintegration begins by making sure that all of our children go to school and that their families obtain dignified work by creating public spaces for leisure and recreation, and by fostering civic participation, health services and access to basic services, to name just a few possible measures.”

Despite many limitations, great sobriety and political compromises, the embrace is unprecedented. Although uniatism is considered outdated, the existence and mission of the Greek-Catholics is defended. Putin’s influence noticeable, but no blessing for a "holy war". Reference to desire to "work together." The analysis of a leading figure from Orthodox Moscow.

The Damascus government has given the green light for the delivery of food and basic necessities to seven areas. These include the town of Madaya, where people are dying of starvation. Moscow rejects Ankara’s accusations it bombed hospitals. The UN Security Council criticizes Turkey.

A festive meeting with 50 thousand young people in Moreila. The word of hope is called Jesus, and "the principal threat to hope is to allow yourself to believe that you begin to be valuable when you start wearing the right clothes, the latest brands and fashions, or when you enjoy prestige, are important because you have money; but in the depths of your heart you do not believe that you are worthy of kindness or love".

He tells priests, religious and seminarians gathered in Moreila that “Our first call is to experience this merciful love of the Father in our lives, in our experiences”. In “places often dominated by violence, corruption, drug trafficking, disregard for human dignity,” he urges them not to give in to the temptation of resignation, one of evil one’s “favourite weapons”.

Saudi Arabia and Russia have decided to freeze crude oil production at January levels, something "adequate" to meet demand. Since June 2014, oil prices have plunged by 70 per cent. Tomorrow the meeting will include the representatives of Iran and Iraq.

At the gathering for families in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Pope Francis rails against the "ideological colonization" that seeks to destroy the family institution labelling it as outdated. The moving testimonies of a dystrophic boy, a divorced couple, of a family married for 50 years, a woman abandoned by her husband who supports single mothers so they will not to abort their children. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, "this dream called family will not be defeated by insecurity and loneliness."

Today, France and Turkey harshly condemned Moscow’s bombing of civilian targets. But the Kremlin has not yet made statements. The missiles have caused at least 50 deaths, including civilians and medical personnel. The new violence "cast shadows" on a short-term resolution of the conflict.

Perhaps a million indigenous people from different ethnic groups attend Mass in San Cristóbal de Las Casas. The service included incensation, decorations, readings, prayers, as well as religious and indigenous singing. In his address, the pontiff mentions the memory of oppression and God who frees by offering his Son, who “becomes the Way, he becomes the Truth, he becomes the Life, so that darkness may not have the last word and the dawn may not cease to rise on the lives of his sons and daughters.” Indigenous people have many things to teach the rest of the world about how to deal with the environmental crisis.

The major archbishop of Kiev speaks of Cuba encounter: a meeting of "two parallel worlds". The Joint Declaration "generally positive" for future cooperation. Points which concern Ukraine “controversial”: the Vatican is being exploited by Russian Orthodox diplomacy. Shevchuk reiterates: the Greek-Catholic Church has never supported the war, provoked by "Russian aggression".

The pope celebrated Mass in Ecatepec, one of Mexico City’s big suburbs, on the first Sunday of Lent. Speaking to hundreds of thousands of people, Francis stressed the importance of Lent as the "favorite moment" to drive away the evil one’s temptations.