South Asia

About 200 people attacked the religious leaders as they were baptising Muslims. Some local imams filed charges against the clergymen who, together with scores of Protestants, were arrested by police. The pastors are now free on bail.

Francis brings a "message of hope and encouragement" to the European Parliament. Overcoming an exaggerated individualism that forgets the duties of the common good. Be the bearer of human rights, democracy, welcome for migrants, respect for nature and a promoter of peace.

The community of the Church of the Blessed Mother Teresa in Siadih, Jharkhand, celebrated the feast day with a procession. The group walked the main streets and hidden alleys of the parish, attracting non-Christians as well. The event showed that "people of different religions can live in respect, love, unity and harmony", the parish priest said.

Speaking to the Council of Europe Francis recalls that it has a mission to promote peace, freedom and human dignity. Peace is "wounded" in Europe, "where tensions do not cease." It is violated by terrorism " bankrolled by a frequently unchecked traffic in weapons " and also "the traffic of human beings, which is the new slavery of our time." History today demands the ability to break out of the structures which “contain” our identity and to encounter others, for the sake of making that identity more solid and fruitful in the fraternal exchange of transversality.

Speaking to reporters on the plane that took him back to Rome, Francis said, "There is the threat of these terrorists . . . but there is also another threat, state terrorism [. . .] with terrorists many who are innocent also fall [. . .] slavery is a part of today's social fabric. Slave labour, human trafficking, child trafficking. [. . .] It is a tragedy. Let us not close our eyes on this! [. . .] Going out to find people and talk is what Europe needs today."

The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) condemns the latest attack against a Christian community: "Religious fundamentalists are a threat to the rule of law." Instead of stopping the attackers, police arrest a Christian pastor.

When the Church "is faithful to hope and to her Bridegroom, she is joyful to receive the light from Him, to be in this sense 'his widow'," while waiting for His return. All services that we do in the Church are to help us receive this light. "A service without this light is no good: it makes the Church rich, or powerful, or makes the Church seek power, or take the wrong road, as has happened many times in history".

More than 3,000 people took part in the procession for the feast of Christ the King, which ended in the Cathedral of the Assumption with the sacrament of the Eucharist. Mgr Simick told young people to "reach out to" those "waiting to walk Christ's path" and "Lead them to a life in the Lord". Young Hindu convert is so happy "to live in the light of Christ" that he will "do everything to share the need for God's kingdom in my community".

This was stated by Swami Pranavananda, a prominent member of the fundamentalist Hindu Mahasaba association. Hindus "respect women", but in the State of Karnataka fewer girls are born. Christian leader: "Statements that foment hatred between communities."

Francis met the faithful of the Syro-Malabar Church in Rome for the canonisation of Fr Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia Eluvathingal. The pope called on them to "Keep up the good work! Kerala is rich in vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Continue on this path, working through your witness."

For Egypt "hope was expressed that within the framework of guarantees enshrined by the new Constitution in terms of the safeguard of human rights and religious freedom, the peaceful coexistence among all components of society may be strengthened and the path to inter-religious dialogue may continue to be pursued".

During the canonisation of new saints in St Peter's Square, Pope Francis stressed that "The starting point of salvation is not the confession of the sovereignty of Christ, but rather the imitation of Jesus' works of mercy through which he brought about his kingdom." We can enter the kingdom of God "by being close in concrete ways to our brothers and sisters who ask for bread, clothing, acceptance, solidarity," and catechesis. At least 20,000 Indians came for the two Indian saints, Euphrasia Eluvathingal of the Sacred Heart, and Kuriakose Elias Chavara, from the Syro-Malabar Church.