Afghanistan

At the general audience in the Paul VI Hall, Pope Francis compares the miracle of the widow of Nain to the change every person undergoes passing through the Holy Door. "Drawing towards the Door of Mercy, everyone knows they are drawing close to the door of the merciful heart of God, of Jesus". “This is the door where the suffering of humanity encounters the compassion of God". From a change of "heart" to the "hands" that perform "acts of mercy". Holy Doors are both "inward" and "outward bound".

The articles published last week, penned by Card. John Tong, on dialogue between China and the Holy See, and Card. Joseph Zen, expressing doubts and difficulties, have sparked debate in China and worldwide. AsiaNews asks for responses from its many sources in China, who express their concerns regarding “overly politicized|” bishops; an "imperial" ideology and Chinese government "oppression". The first of a three part series.

At the Angelus, Pope Francis asked twice to pray for "the civilian victims of the war". “It is unacceptable that so many defenseless persons – among them many small children – must pay the price for conflict”. Sadly, “so much injustice, violence and daily wickedness are born from the idea of ​​behaving as masters of the lives of others."

At the opening ceremony, Acting President Michel Temer was jeered for his role in President Dilma Roussef’s impeachment. Outside, protesters demanded “jobs, healthcare, education”. The first-ever Refugee team is present. Doping scandals involving Russia, China and other countries hover over the games.

The Middle East crisis stems from the fact that there is an intermingliong of the Koran and hadith (the sayings of Muhammad). The author, a young Syrian Muslim "neither Sunni nor Shiite," follows the Quaranism movement, rejecting the Hadith (the sayings of the Prophet), full of violence, and not closely related to the religious message of the Quaran. All Quaranists are exiles abroad because Sunni society considers them "unbelievers." A varied Islam open to ecumenism: There can be no compulsion in religion.

On a visit to the Portiuncula, for the eighth centenary of the "Pardon of Assisi", Pope Francis explains that forgiveness should be given to others because we have been forgiven. To say "you will pay!” is unchristian. In an unscheduled move, the Pope enters a confessional to offer the sacrament of reconciliation.

The bishop emeritus of Hong Kong highlights the ambiguities that drag on in talks and in the expectations of diplomatic relations between China and the Vatican: belonging to the Patriotic Association, which Benedict XVI called "incompatible" with Catholic doctrine (and which Francis confirmed); silence on the persecution of the faithful and priests; ambiguities over appointment of bishops. A critique of the revival of the Vatican's Ostpolitik.

Wednesday audiences resume, with Pope Francis' reflections on his recent visit to Poland. The fraternity of young people is a "sign of hope". "Flags of nations in conflict waving side by side". Poland says to Europe that "there can be no future for the continent without its founding values", among which there is mercy, witnessed by Pope John Paul II and Sr. Faustina Kowalska. The abyss of evil in Auschwitz and evil today "look alike." Best wishes to the Brazilian people for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Tomorrow the Pope will travel to the Porziuncola (Assisi).

Sharing and prayer between Christians and Muslims is the way to defeat the violence and nihilism of the fundamentalist fringe. Are the fundamentalists Muslims? Nothing they do is Islamic: to kill old people, children, destroy places of worship. Yet they cover themselves in phrases from the Koran and the aura of executioners, exploiting a literalist reading of the Koran. The time has come for Muslims to promote a theological interpretation of the holy book. By Paolo Nicelli, PIME missionary, professor and an expert on Islam.i

The roots of the “cancer” of Islamic terrorism are to be found in Wahhabi teaching, supported by Saudi Arabia. The rejection of fundamentalism must take place on three levels: through the affirmation of the brotherhood of all people, without absorbing the hatred of divisions; the prohibition on public expressions of fundamentalist Islam, which is in opposition to the host culture; cut all trade and diplomatic relations with states that support fundamentalism (Saudi Arabia and Iran). The denunciation of French-Arab philosopher Abdennour Bidar, a Sufi follower of Islam, in the aftermath of the Nice massacre and the murder of Fr. Jacques Hamel.

Luca is 32 years old, comes from Molise and followed the World Youth Day in Krakow while in his last year in the seminary. The call of the Lord "came while I was in Madrid, at the WYD in 2010, in a tent with my girlfriend. I could not ignore it, and I hope to go to Panama for my last WYD as a priest". The vocational centers in Krakow "outpost" of discernment: "The Church must do more to help young people in their search for answers. It is true that there are frustrated priests, but there are many more young people who do not understand where this sense of restlessness comes from”.

The youth who travelled to Poland had trouble getting visas. But in the coming days they will return to Pakistan and can be an example for all Catholics. The priest invites the Church leaders to prepare ahead of the next World Youth Day.