Afghanistan

Receiving the Christian Union of business leaders and entrepreneurs Francis recalls: "The economy and business need ethics for their proper functioning; not just any ethics, but an ethics that places the individual and the community at its center". At the same time there is a need "to protect women workers right to employment and recognize their vocation to motherhood and presence in the family".

"God has compassion. God has each of us in his heart, which is the heart of a Father". A good priest is involved in "all human problems", is moved, is committed to people's lives, "because a priest is a priest, like Jesus is a priest."

"We are so attached to the love of God, that no person, no power, nothing can separate us from this love." "Every man, every woman can refuse this gift." "But it is a gift ". "The gift is the love of God, a God who cannot break away from us. That is the impotence of God. We say: 'God is powerful, He can do everything!'. Except one thing: distance Himself from us. "

Badakhshan is under Taliban control and help is slow in arriving because of mountainous terrain. Death toll from both countries has risen to 360. Mass funerals and burials begin. Caritas Pakistan already in the most affected area. Two churches in Peshawar were damaged.

An interfaith General Audience dedicated to the 50th anniversary of "Nostra Aetate". "Because of violence and terrorism an attitude of suspicion or even condemnation of religions has spread", but "we need to look at the positive values that they live and propose, and which are sources of hope". "A special gratitude to God the real transformation that has taken over the last 50 years the relationship between Christians and Jews". Appeal "does not lack our concrete solidarity" to the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The real effects in the mountainous Hindu Kush are still unknown: it is very difficult for rescuers to get there. Confirmed the death of 12 students of Taluqan: "Crushed in stampede by companions who were trying to escape."

From the Philippines, "the challenge of living and recognizing a Christianity in historical forms different from those we are used to in the West." Even today it continues to be associated with the West. The basic text of the Congress a "program of dialogue with cultures, religious traditions and the multitudes of the poor."

70 are confirmed dead, at least 200 injured. For rescuers "the number will rise." The quake was 7.5 on the Richter scale. Originated in the northeast of the country, it has been felt for kilometers. Tens of thousands of people on the street. In Taluqan students from a local school rush to escape: 12 girls crushed to death in stampede.

A number of cardinals, patriarchs and bishops signed an appeal on behalf of the world’s Bishops’ Conferences, aimed at the COP 21 in Paris. What is needed is “a social perspective which takes into account the fundamental rights of the poor and the underprivileged.” In particular, the approach must not be just technical, but focus instead on “the ethical and moral dimensions of climate change” for the “natural environment is a collective good, the patrimony of all humanity and the responsibility of everyone”.

“Jesus’ disciples are called to” do this and avoid “the temptation” of a “spirituality of illusion” whereby “we can walk through the deserts of humanity without seeing what is really there; instead, we see what we want to see [. . .] falling into a ‘scheduled faith’ [. . .] where everything is listed: we know where to go and how long it will take; everyone must respect our rhythm and every problem is a bother”.

"The word 'synod' means 'walking together'. What we went through was the experience of the Pilgrim Church on its way, especially on its way with the families of the holy People of God scattered around the world.” The Synod “was moved by prayer and a spirit of true communion. It was tough, but it was a true gift of God, which will surely bear much fruit."

On remarried divorced people, “a lot was said carefully, but the key word is ‘discernment’,” said Card Schönborn. There “is no black or white, a yes or a no.” Each case “must be discerned.” On homosexuals, the issue was discussed from the perspective of the family with homosexual members.