South Asia

The importance of reconciliation between communities that comprise the various societies and respect for the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. The role that the UN General Assembly could take in programs for the sustainable development agenda after 2015.

Francis offers a meditation during the Rosary at the end of the Marian month: listening, even in everyday life, to God who speaks to us; deciding to entrust ourselves totally to God; doing what God asks of us. In the afternoon, he met 22 sick children.

May 29 marked the 60th anniversary of the conquest of the summit. Many veterans hikers denounce increasing pollution. The Nepalese government has been accused of avoiding the issue.

1. 5% of the community is HIV-positive. Patients also face social discrimination and exclusion. The problem of lack of funds.

Bishop Thomas Thiruthalil reiterates the need for a strong Christian identity in a land that has strong religious and spiritual traditions. The Church must care for everybody, but especially Dalits and tribal people who are among the poorest and most marginalised groups in society. Migration, poverty and unemployment are among the most urgent problems that must be solved.

Celebrating the Mass for Corpus Domini, Francis warns against the temptation to not take upon ourselves the needs of others, "dismissing them with a pitiful: 'God help you.' But Jesus’ solution goes in another direction, he "feeds the crowd that had come to hear him. "In the Eucharist makes us follow His path, that of service, of sharing, of giving – and what little we have, what little we are, if shared, becomes wealth, because the power of God, which is that of love, descends into our poverty to transform it".

June 1st the new National Assembly meets. After taking the oath, the president and deputy will be chosen, followed by the appointment of the prime minister, called to form the new government. Lahore Priest: We pray for a real change in the country.

At today's general audience, Francis, wet from the rain, began a series of catechesis dedicated to the mystery of the Church. She "is not an organization founded by an agreement among some people, but - as we were reminded many times by Pope Benedict XVI – she is the work of God, she was born out of his loving plan which progressively evolves in history."

During his homily at morning Mass, Francis says that a triumphalist, well organized Church full of efficiency and offices is only ‘half-way’ and ‘is impeded’ on its journey. It does not follow Jesus’ rule: the rule of triumph through failure, human failure, the failure of the Cross. This is the temptation we are all open to”.

The Ven Bowatte Indrarathana Thero was cremated yesterday in a solemn ceremony amidst tight security. Some in the country said they understood his action even though it was de facto against religious freedom. Others said his action was not worth it, expressing fear that it might lead to copycats. For many ordinary Sri Lankans, instead of self-immolating the venerable should have opposed the killing that took place during the country's civil war.

At least 19 million Indians are expected to join the pope in simultaneous Eucharistic adoration. Parishes, convents, and other religious organisations have mobilised. Women's dignity, equality between the sexes, and overcoming social inequalities are among the pope's intentions, as well as components of the missionary heritage of the Church in India.

Following Christ means "to go with him, behind him: on the same journey, the same path," in which, "there will always be difficulties," "persecution." The example of Mother Teresa of whom the "spirit of the world" says "she did many good things for others," but never that "every day, she spent so many hours in adoration ... Never."