Between 31 December and 10 January, the rites of the novena and the Traslación, the procession of the venerated statue in the Quiapo district of Manila. It was the longest procession ever, lasting over 30 hours. Devotee tells AsiaNews: ‘The huge crowd strengthens my faith.’ Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr. against corruption: ‘Humble yourselves for the sake of mercy.’
The new book by the Capuchin friar at the forefront of service to persecuted Christians and displaced populations was presented in Lahore. The book draws on biblical teachings and the Catechism of the Catholic Church on welcoming strangers and calls for creativity in responding to people's needs.
With falling oil prices, double-digit inflation and a weak national currency, the World Bank predicts that growth in 2026 will not exceed 4.5%. And there is controversy in the country over the VAT increase, which could lead to a general decline in the standard of living of the Kazakh population.
Today, on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Leo XIV baptised 20 children in the Sistine Chapel. “Remember the gift you have received”. At the Angelus, he blessed “children born in difficult conditions, both in terms of health and external dangers”. In the Middle East, pursue ‘the common good of the whole society’. Appeal to end violence in Ukraine.
In a new episode of AsiaNews' reportage, the personal story of faith of the communications officer of the Vicariate of Northern Arabia: from Goa to Bahrain, a journey that has not been without challenges and difficulties, but which has also been a ‘grace’ and a “gift” to ‘bear witness to others’. And the hope of ‘remaining rooted in my Christian identity in this land of Arabia’.
Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and an associate are under investigation for the management of additional quotas granted to Indonesia for the 2024 Hajj. They allegedly favoured special pilgrims at the expense of regular ones, causing estimated state losses of million. Assets have been seized and potential illicit flows are under investigation.
