On 19-21 November, economists and entrepreneurs under 35 from around the world will meet online. More than 40 countries will be connected, with live streaming from Assisi. Some 2,000 people have registered with at least 12 link-ups to 115 countries, four hours a day plus a 24-hour marathon on the second day, and contributions from more than 20 countries.

The meeting with the president of the German Bishops Conference, in all likelihood touched upon the assembly with "deliberative power" convoked by the Germans to address issues such as the separation of power in the Church, priestly life, women's access to ministry and to offices in the Church and sexual morality.

Located in a district that covers Bangkok’s port, Klong Toey is home to 100,000 people, many of them internal migrants. Here, the Sisters recently began providing meals to people further impoverished by the pandemic. With their school “only a few blocks away from the biggest slum,” the Sisters heeded Pope Francis’s call to “serve the poor at the borders of our society”.

A police officer kills 37 people, including 23 children. In his message of condolences, Pope Francis expressed his “spiritual closeness to all those affected by this act of unspeakable violence”. Police recruitment practices are coming under closer scrutiny as are abuses of power, drug use, and easy access to weapons.

The court rules that the PM’s eight-year mandate is not yet completed by deciding that it began in 2017, not 2014. Pro-democracy protesters opposed to the decision take to the streets.

The new rule comes into effect on 26 October. It expands on last year’s Criminal Code amendment authorising abortion up to 12 weeks after a Supreme Court ruling. Liberalisation is clearly the goal. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference and many Buddhist groups are opposed.