The prelate personally visited the areas most affected by the recent military confrontation between India and Pakistan. Shelling has "killed many people" and "destroyed hundreds of houses, shops, vehicles and other infrastructure". The situation now seems to be improving but the fear of fresh attacks remains.

These refugees meet the criteria for resettlement in third countries and need international protection the most. Expulsions to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan continue; in April alone, more than 300,000 returned from Pakistan and Iran, aggravating a humanitarian crisis already out of control due to extreme poverty. For their part, Kabul, Beijing and Islamabad are building new geopolitical ties.

The Pakistani Foreign Minister travelled to Beijing to boost the CPEC project, which will also include Afghanistan. While tensions with India have subsided, violence continues in Balochistan where a bomb attack against a school bus kills several children. The missile exchange between India and Pakistan is redefining the geopolitical alliances across Eurasia.

On 12 May, Kashif Masih was brutally tortured and killed over a false accusation of theft. A former police officer is under investigation in connection with the case. The incident has reignited outrage over the persecution of Christians in Pakistan and the impunity often granted to those in positions of power. Human rights activists: "No uniform should place anyone above the law."

While the governments in New Delhi and Islamabad each claim victory after the ceasefire in Kashmir, the ceasefire is bringing some relief to an exhausted population. Meanwhile, extremists continue to fuel hatred on social media. Political tensions remain an obstacle to dialogue. Bishops on both sides of the border have launched appeals for a future of peace and shared development.

Bishops, priests, religious and faithful in Pakistan are grateful and hopeful following the election of Pope Leo XIV. Young people, teachers and seminarians hope for a pontificate marked by peace, dialogue and closeness to the last and the marginalised, like the Christians living in difficult situations in Pakistan.