South Asia

The Ceylon Bible Society (CBS) devoted a whole day to the senior citizens of Dandugama. More than 500 people took part in the activities, which included a flea market, medical visits and more. Some volunteers donated towels and clothes to the residents of the St Martin's Home for Disable Women and the St Vincent de Paul's Home for Elders.

Pope Francis and leaders of the Orthodox, Anglican, Islamic, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist faiths will sign a Joint Declaration in the Vatican tomorrow. Through the latter, the Global Freedom Network (GFN), which is behind the initiative, wants a common commitment to inspire spiritual and practical action by all faiths and people of goodwill everywhere to eradicate modern slavery, a practice that affects 36 million people.

A young couple from different castes was murdered in a brutal manner because they got married. The principal behind the killing is the young bride's mother who ordered her sons to kill the two. Mgr Savio Fernandes bemoans the lack of "respect for life." He notes that parents should be "agents of change". For a member of the Pontifical Academy of Life, "there is no honour in premeditated murder of another human being."

Francis participates in the Divine Liturgy for the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle at the Phanar. In his speech at the end of the liturgy, the Pope points out: " The Catholic Church desires, and that I seek as Bishop of Rome, “the Church which presides in charity”, is communion with the Orthodox Churches." This is not submission "but to accept the gifts of God." The "three voices" that cry out for Christian unity: "This encourages us to continue on this journey".

In the Common Declaration that ends the visit of Francis to Turkey, the two leaders of the Western and the Eastern Churches again emphasize the urgency for full unity, "Just as the blood of the martyrs was a seed of strength and fertility for the Church, so too the sharing of daily sufferings can become an effective instrument of unity". Call for dialogue with Islam, "Muslims and Christians are called to work together for the sake of justice, peace and respect for the dignity and rights of every person”. The full text.

During the visit to the Mosque the Pope said twice "we must worship God", adding "we must not only praise and glorify him, but we have to worship him." Father Lombardi describes it as "a beautiful moment of interreligious dialogue."

"Only the Holy Spirit is able to kindle diversity, multiplicity and, at the same time, bring about unity. When we try to create diversity, but are closed within our own particular and exclusive ways of seeing things, we create division. When we try to create unity through our own human designs, we end up with uniformity and homogenization".

At the Ecumenical Patriarchate Pope Francis emphasizes the joy of being together. Together, the successors of Peter and Andrew entered, together they recited the Lord's Prayer, the assembly prayed for both, both gave their blessed, one in Latin and the other in Greek. And Francis asked Bartolomeo to bless him and the Catholic Church.

Black gold now valued at $ 70 a barrel, the lowest price since 2011. Difficulties in Britain and the US, where oil shale is no unprofitable. Problems and risk of recession for Russia.

The Pope's trip to Turkey is primarily of ecumenical importance, but also to give witness. Christian unity, founded on faith and common witness of the martyrs, urges greater commitment to a world which in theory is united by finance, but in reality is divided and disintegrated from the social point of view. A possible appeal for joint commemoration of Nicea and joint condemnation of the massacre of Christians. Which is also taking place on Turkish borders.

South and Southeast Asian defence chiefs meet in Colombo to discuss regional situation. Everyone's cooperation is needed maintain peace and stability.

The drama of the Middle East was the focus of Francis first address on his arrival in Ankara. " it is licit, while always respecting international law, to stop an unjust aggressor". "It it is essential that all citizens – Muslim, Jewish and Christian – both in the provision and practice of the law, enjoy the same rights and respect the same duties".