Leo XIV travelled to the world's second-smallest state on his first trip outside of Italy in 2026. He called for the 'gift of smallness' to serve justice and peace, reminding the rich city-state that great wealth has an intrinsic need to be redistributed. He encouraged the local Church to advocate for the “forgotten and marginalized.” To young people, he said love “gives stability to life,” urging them “not [to] be afraid to give everything”.
The Allahabad High Court orders Father Pereira to stand trial for calling Jesus's religion "the only true religion" in a church sermon. The court cited India's secularism to argue that such a claim denigrates other faiths. This is a paradoxical development in a state like Uttar Pradesh, a Hindu fundamentalist stronghold.
Malaysian political groups slam Philippine lawmaker Robert Padilla's claim to the Malaysian state in northern Borneo and warn of the risk of tensions within ASEAN. The statement on the oil- and gas-rich region comes as the Philippines is in the throes of an energy crisis. This has reignited a dispute that dates back to the 19th century.
Earlier this month, a series of laws came into effect aimed at changing not only the behaviour but also the outlook on life of Russians. Works such as Pushkin's The Bronze Horseman, Gogol's Dead Souls, and Chekhov's satirical tales have been banned from schools because they are "unacceptable for a correct understanding of traditional values."
Today's news: Nepal’s former prime minister is arrested over his role in the deadly 2025 crackdown. Protests are staged in India following the passage of a bill defining transgender people. Indonesia bans children under 16 from accessing digital platforms. Hong Kong sees its lowest number of job offers in six years.
The extremists set up a tent and raised an Israeli flag. The attacks aimed at seizing land carry religious, political, legal, and symbolic implications. For the local parish priest, Father Bashar, despite difficult circumstances, the Christian community wants to celebrate Easter "with deep faith”. The patriarchs and heads of the Churches of Jerusalem issued a message of peace.
