Francis dedicated today's general audience in St Peter's Square entirely to the Jesuit apostle of China. May the example of the young people from Ukraine and Russia living together as brothers and sisters in the Italian citadel of Rondine "arouse intentions of peace also in those who have political responsibilities".

The cardinal is on a diplomatic tour to break the "deadlock" around the election of the Lebanese head of state. The Frangié option, supported by Hezbollah but considered too polarising, is declining. On the other hand, consensus is growing around the name of Jihad Azour. For Macron, Christians must remain a "central" element in the confessional and institutional balance of the Land of the Cedars.

After ten years (and old grudges), the foreign ministers of the two countries have met again to lay the foundations for eocnomic cooperation. Alongside trade exchanges, programmes for direct air routes and the abolition of entry visas are also planned.

FAO and the World Food Programme sound the alarm. The long-term effects of last summer's floods, from which the country has yet to recover, are compounded by political and financial instability. With imports cut because of the lack of foreign currency, food is increasingly out of reach for many while inflation is way up.

Peak demand risks crashing the national power grid. The authorities asked industrial consumers to reduce operations during peak hours. Vietnam and its neighbours see record temperatures, up to 45 Celsius.

The Family Global Compact was presented today in the Vatican to get Catholic universities to share their thoughts, studies and proposals that can enhance the family’s contribution to the economy, society and the development of the person. For Pope Francis, “Healthy family relationships represent a unique source of enrichment, not only for spouses and children but for the entire ecclesial and civil community.”