The parliament of Papua New Guinea has approved an amendment that identifies the nation as an ‘independent Christian state’. Fr Giorgio Licini (Caritas Papua New Guinea): it risks being an empty statement, without resolving the real challenges facing the country.

The 7.3-magnitude earthquake, which hit yesterday, caused heavy damage, especially in the capital. Several aftershocks were recorded overnight. Rescuers are racing against time to save survivors trapped in collapsed buildings. Two Chinese nationals are among the dead. The Pacific island nation has close relations with China.

The island, which has been seeking independence from Papua New Guinea since the late 1980s, is looking for funds to start mining activities in Panguna, with the approval of Port Moresby. But a recent report points out that water sources and soil still contain metals and toxic substances, 30 years after the mine shut down due to civil war.

The proposal was supported by island nations such as Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, Samoa and Tonga, which are still experiencing the consequences of atomic tests in the region. Russia, France and the United Kingdom voted against. According to experts, a clear picture on the consequences of a nuclear conflict could favour new disarmament agreements.

Just as the row over tariffs with the US and the EU intensifies, China is preparing to lift the last retaliatory measure still in place against Australia, Australian Prime Minister Albanese announced. In two years in office, the Australian leader has mended ties, keeping trade with China distinct from geopolitical issues.

In the general audience held today in St Peter's Square, Francis retraced the stages of the apostolic journey that in recent days has taken him to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. "I met living communities that grow by attraction. It gladdened my heart to be able to spend some time with the missionaries and catechists of today’.