Russia

Taiwan’s 23 million people are the most generous in terms of money and material aid. More than 5 billion TND are raised in a race involving political leaders, companies, private groups and ordinary citizens. President Ma gets personally involved.

Benedict XVI celebrates Palm Sunday mass, which begins Holy Week. 50 thousand present, mostly young people, ahead of World Youth Day,in Madrid (16-21 August). Humanity has attained great heights has achieved many things, but "our possibilities for evil have increased and appear like menacing storms above history." “Jesus Christ.., from God came down to us and, in his crucified love, takes us by the hand and lifts us on high "

They want a reshuffle in leadership positions at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, as well as a broad reform of the United Nations to reduce volatility in trade. The five BRICS nations want to assert their new international role against the traditional place occupied by Europe and the United States.

The message from the Commission on the Church in China, released today reiterates the elements necessary for ecclesial communion, after the illicit ordination of Chengde and the Assembly of Catholic representatives in Beijing. No excommunication, but the Pope stresses that faith and unity of the Church are fundamental. Process of cause for the beatification of Paul Xu Guangqi begins. On 24 May the World Day of Prayer for the Church in China.

Students and professors write to the dean. They say it is “paradoxical” and “contrary to a pluralistic education” to prefer one confession to others. The church should be built on Sparrows Hills.

The human heart extends beyond this wall 'that prevents us from seeing beyond. " Jesus Christ is "the real news that breaks and overcomes all barriers." Christ also defeats the "spiritual death that is sin and which threatens to ruin the life of every man."

Bishop Suheil Dawani, of Nablus, is considered a "foreigner" by Israel and he is forbidden to travel to the cathedral and curia in East Jerusalem. Another prelate threatened with expulsion. The new taxes are an outrage against the tradition of the Ottoman Empire, British rule, that of Jordan and the UN Resolution of '47 that founded the State of Israel. The new taxes puts the churches presence in the Holy Land, their pastoral ministry and care of the needy in education and health, at risk.

Heartfelt appeal of Benedict XVI to "all parties involved" at the end of the general audience. In his speech, devoted to St. Therese of Lisieux, he describes hers as the "Story of a Soul" a wonderful story of love for Jesus

Archpriest Chaplin calls on Orthodox to be more courageous in demonstrating their faith. Human rights activists protest: ideas that contribute to dividing society.

Hopes for a profound transformation of the Middle East begin to wane. The weakness of the young revolutionaries faced with the might of the army and Islamist parties who want to seize the fruits of change. Christians in Syria, forced to support the authoritarian regimes to save religious freedom. Democracy and secularism seems to be an impossible combination. The positive case of Lebanon.

Benedict XVI "fondly remembers" the Polish pope on the sixth anniversary of his death and who will be beatified on May 1 next. The faith of the blind man healed by Jesus, as opposed to the hardened heart of the Pharisees. We, too, "born blind, were enlightened in baptism. Rekindling the flame of faith, which sometimes "risks being stifled."

The Pope and the representatives of world religions will travel by train from Rome to the city of St. Francis, with moments of joint reflection and silent prayer, they will stop in Santa Maria degli Angeli and after a "frugal" lunch, will go on pilgrimage to the Basilica of St. Francis. The night before there will be a vigil in St. Peter's for the diocese of Rome, presided over by Benedict XVI