Leo XIV authorised the promulgation of the decree on the heroic virtues of the Syro-Malabar priest who lived between 1888 and 1949. A great intellectual, he was always attentive to the needs of the poor and the sick. For them, he founded the "Mount of Charity" and the Medical Sisters of Saint Joseph, who continue to care for everyone in India, without distinction of religion or caste.
Pope Leo’s message for the World Day of Peace on 1 January 2026 has been released, inspired by the words he spoke immediately after his election. He decries the “confrontational logic” that considers “a fault not to be sufficiently prepared for war.” He highlights the arms race and the failure of “political and military leaders” to take responsibility. Instead, as Saint Augustine said, “those who truly love peace also love the enemies of peace.”
In just 40 years since joining UNESCO, the People's Republic already ranks first in terms of the number of “intangible cultural heritage” sites, with 60 recognised sites. Hundreds of new museums open every year across the country, and in 2024 alone, 179,000 new operators were hired. Chinese “confidence in culture” is a cornerstone of Xi Jinping's soft power. And with the United States' withdrawal from UNESCO, its influence on global cultural policies is set to grow even further.
The Mongolian government – which has always balanced between China and Russia, its two large neighbours – has in recent months entered into “strategic partnership” agreements with each of the major Western economies. Under the presidency of Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, Mongolia is seeking to use international relations as a way out of economic and social stagnation.
Today's headlines: Netanyahu announces agreement on gas supply to Egypt; UN and NGOs in Gaza oppose “arbitrary” Israeli registration procedure; In South Korea, with mothers giving birth at an increasingly advanced age, multiple pregnancies are on the rise, raising concerns for the health of mothers and newborns; Four Indonesian activists charged for late summer riots. Nepal launches five-year plan against waste in the Himalayas.
Lahore holds the sad record of being the most polluted city in the world. The health of 127 million inhabitants is at risk. Hospitals are overwhelmed with respiratory diseases, with children most at risk. Experts say it is ‘no longer’ just a ‘seasonal’ problem. Drastic and coordinated action is needed, but the government is failing to act.
