South Asia

Addressing the Catholic Doctors Association, Francis describes healthcare as "a real lay apostolate." "The Gospel - the Pope said - goes beyond the Hippocratic Oath: love life at all times, especially when it requires special care and attention. Fidelity to the Gospel of life and respect for it as a gift from God sometimes requires brave choices".

The Casa Santa Marta Mass was attended by a group of children from a local Roman parish. " it is our responsibility to look out for these children! A Christian has to take care of children, little ones". "In this world of images, they all have phones and words are pointless ...".

On the 50th anniversary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), an extremist leader calls for Christians and Muslims to return to Hinduism. For the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), such statements are "absolutely illegal" and "feed suspicion and mistrust" towards minorities. By contrast, the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

On the island once known as Ceylon, Francis will meet with political and religious leaders. He will also beatify missionary Joseph Vaz and visit the shrine of Our Lady of Lanka. In the Philippines, he will have lunch with survivors of typhoon Yolanda, bless a new centre for the poor, and meet young people and their families.

In the "tragic reality of many people who have precarious employment, or who have lost their work" the many forced to work "illegally", "there is the strong temptation to defend one’s own interests without concern for the common good, without being overly concerned with justice and legality". The "globalization of solidarity."

Each year, some 7,000 people die in Russia from heroin made with Afghan opium. Despite spending US$ 7.6 billion, the United States has failed to stop drug production in Afghanistan. In Moscow, this is evidence that "U.S. foreign policy has been intentionally destructive," some experts say.

Dr. RK Gupta was trying to flee. A second government center discovered, where at least 26 tubal ligations were carried out, one woman died and 20 were hospitalized.

"The Kingdom of God is silent, it grows inside us. The Holy Spirit nourishes it through our willingness, in our land, which we have to prepare". "Even suffering, the Cross, the cross of everyday life - the cross of work, family, to carry on doing good things - this small daily cross is part of the Kingdom of God".

Wives, mothers and sisters of the victims of "enforced disappearances" will not lose hope. In 1990, the military in Batticaloa took 156 men to "bring them to safe areas" but they never returned.

The Catholic-Muslim Forum releases a final statement following its meeting in Rome on 'Working together to serve others'. Young people should be educated to build "respect for others". Inter-religious dialogue is important "to overcome prejudice, distortions, suspicions, and inappropriate generalisations." Pope Francis encouraged participants in their efforts.

"They have the right to find peace and security in their own countries, to freely profess their faith". "God forbid that a bishop, priest or deacon think they know everything, always have the right answer for everything and do not need anyone" or behave as if "the community was their property, their personal kingdom", instead of "listening to the people," even those who "may still be distant” from the faith.

The number of dead from botched operations in Chhattisgarh rose to 12. More than 50 women are still in hospital, 25 in very critical conditions. The same doctor operated on 83 women in five hours - less than four minutes per operation - with patients made to lie down on the floor of a clinic that had remained closed for a year.