The Patriarch of Jerusalem visited the Gulf country, which is part of the Apostolic Vicariate of North Arabia. Accompanied by Bishop Berardi, the cardinal met with local communities and leading figures of the kingdom. The cardinal led the Mass in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia and took part in a conference at the King Hamad Global Center for Peaceful Coexistence.

The Holy See Press Office released the message of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue to Islamic communities for the Islamic holy month and the feast of Eid al-Fitr. It reads, “in a world in search of hope [. . .] Do we want to be simple co-workers for a better world, or genuine brothers and sisters, bearing common witness to God’s friendship with all humanity?”

While the pontiff remains in serious condition at the Gemelli Hospital, people of other religions are joining Christians to pray for him. “May the divine mercies surround Pope Francis for his speedy recovery,” reads a prayer by the secretary general of the Lotus Bahá'í Temple. Imam Yahya Pallavicini sends his best wishes from Islam’s holiest place.

The prestigious award, considered the ‘Nobel of religions’, was awarded this year to an international NGO founded in 2009 and active in dozens of Muslim-majority countries for the promotion of women's rights. ‘It strengthens peaceful coexistence by creating a basis for interfaith dialogue’. The award will be presented in Tokyo on 14 May.

Best known for kung fu, the monks are the custodians of Zen Buddhism in China. The meeting with the pontiff comes a few days after their temple in Henan held a world conference on meditation and its contribution to peace and the development of relations between peoples.

Francis picked the 51-year-old cardinal from Kerala, coordinator of apostolic journeys, to succeed Card Ayuso Guixot who passed away last November. This makes him the first Asian at the helm of the Vatican body. In his first statements, he focuses on the path of fraternity and the form of inculturation developed by Fr Roberto De Nobili in India starting in 1500. The Syro-Malabar Church shared with AsiaNews her joy of a fellow member given this task.

In Kahna Nau, a suburb of Lahore, the joint intervention of the Franciscans, the imam and the police prevented the act of a deranged man who burned pages of the Koran and the Bible from causing new riots. Meanwhile, in Faisalabad, a Sufi group organised a Christmas ceremony again this year. Bishop Rehamt: ‘Let us join hands to show the world that we are a peaceful nation’.

Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad inaugurated the village and Christmas tree at La Salle High School and College. Waiting for Christmas is a time to commit to peace. For the prelate, “we need the Messiah again in our lives.” In Lahore, the Saddar Jhalar Church hosted an interfaith singing event last Sunday, with distinguished civic and religious guests.

Yesterday the Pontiff accepted the prelate's request for resignation, appointing auxiliary Msgr Ilgit as apostolic administrator. Satisfaction for the growth of a reality ‘of Turkish language and culture’. The earthquake of February 2023 still an open wound, need to rebuild from ‘living stones’. The testimony of refugees and displaced persons who broaden horizons on a ‘cultural, spiritual’ level.

The testimony to AsiaNews of the priest who teaches at the department of religions at the public university in a country with an overwhelming Muslim majority: ‘For many here it is the first opportunity in their lives to deal with a Christian. I never enter the classroom without wearing my collar and cross. Education has a fundamental role in dispelling ignorance and promoting empathy and dialogue’.

In its message to Hindu communities on the eve of the Festival of Lights, the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue wishes their hearts be filled “with peace and joy.” Everyone should work against “Religious fundamentalism, extremism, fanaticism, racism and hyper nationalism” and break down “stereotypes, fostering empathy, sensitivity and respect”.

In the headquarters of the Maronite Patriarchate, the main leaders of the 18 recognised religious communities in the country gathered. For Card. Raï it is ‘a sign of hope’. The urgency of a ceasefire, the election of a new president of the Republic who enjoys ‘consensus’, national unity and the Palestinian cause among the points of the final communiqué.

The collaborative body relaunches its mission with first meeting in years. Christian and Muslim leaders together call for the reinclusion of Sulu in the Bangsamoro autonomous region, to safeguard the achievements of the peace process. The satisfaction of the Silsilah movement: ‘Important step at this historic moment when divisions and conflicts emerge in the Philippines and in the world’.

The pope departed for Rome from the metropolis in Southeast Asia, the fourth stop on his long journey through Asia and Oceania. "Religions are different languages on the path to God. If you dialogue as young people, you will also dialogue as adults, as citizens, as politicians. Take risks, do not be afraid’. To the elderly and the sick: ‘Your prayer is very important before God’.

Archbishop Martinelli stresses to AsiaNews the link that makes the declaration signed yesterday in Jakarta and the 2019 text on human fraternity‘different and complementary’. In a world marked by war ‘the danger is getting used to dehumanisation’. Strong ‘symbols’ such as the Tunnel of Friendship or the Abrahamic House are essential. From the Pope also the call to look in depth’ in interreligious dialogue, returning “to the question of God as a fundamental human question”.

The Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and Ecumenism (Ccide) has promoted a ‘Sabeel’ for the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community. Events included a ‘walk’ in the cathedral area and the distribution of cold drinks to break the fast. The annual interfaith caravan of the Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan reached Karabla Gamay Shah.

Yesterday the prime minister received a delegation led by the president of the Bishops' Conference (Cbci). In the letter, besides the ritual congratulations for the new mandate, all the concerns for Christians from the attacks in Manipur to the quota issue. Among the topics also Pope Francis' visit to India.

The Vicar of Southern Arabia officiated at the inauguration of construction work on a new pastoral centre in Ghala. Msgr. Martinelli: 'For children, young people and adults to grow in the faith'. The sultanate's diplomatic work in a conflict-torn Middle East. There are still steps to be taken in the area of rights and gender equality.

An AsiaNews source recounts the life of Catholics. One million people, mostly economic migrants, celebrate their faith "in private". The bond with the universal Church and the hope of one day being able to gather and pray in a church. The Internet has strengthened community relations and facilitated attendance at services. A "long history" of "discreet" presence in the region.

This was emphasised by the auxiliary of the Apostolic Vicariate of Anatolia in the Mass celebrated for the feast of 29 June. The embrace between Catholic and Orthodox brothers offers "the opportunity to experience the joy of encounter". The city is still in serious difficulty, it seems "hit by heavy bombardment". And the final appeal: religious and fidei donum are needed to help keep Christianity alive in Turkey.

The Vatican Secretary of State is on a five-day visit in the Mideast country at the invitation of the president of the Lebanese Association of the Sovereign Order of Malta. Yesterday, at the Mass for the feast of Saint John the Baptist, he renewed the appeal to fill the void of this Christian voice “that would undoubtedly make a difference” even amid the winds of war blowing dangerously in the region. The Church continues to play a key role in assisting the needy.

Tomorrow students from regional Catholic universities will meet virtually with the pontiff in an event promoted by The Building Bridges Initiative. The focus will be on topics concerning spirituality and social issues. For Card de Mendonça, young people have the task of bringing together realities that are apparently distant and different from one another.

Leaders of different faiths met yesterday at a seminar organised by the Archdiocese of Chittagong and World Vision to promote this perspective. Archbishop Lawrence Subrato Howladar wants to see the “strengthening the three-dimensional relationship between the Creator, nature, and human society.” Bangladesh is seventh most affected country in the world by climate change.

The testimony of the Baha'i exponent A.K. Merchant who in recent days participated with a delegation of 25 people of different faiths from Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Delhi in the event promoted at Castelgandolfo on unity in spirituality, the way to peace indicated by Chiara Lubich. ‘A very timely witness in today's world’.

A member of PIME, the missionary has promoted interfaith dialogue and peace between Christians and Muslims in Mindanao for 40 years. At the next session of the bishops’ assembly in July, he will receive the award named after Mgr Jorge Barlin, the first Philippine bishop.

The election during the 2024 general assembly which took place in Lima, Peru. He succeeds Irish priest Fr. Tim Mulroy and will remain in office for the next six years. A priest since 2009, he has carried out his ministry in Taiwan and also in China and the Philippines. Founded in 1918, today they are present in 15 countries.

A Thai delegation was received in the Vatican. The pontiff reiterated the willingness to work together to bring hope. Meditation and prayer are ways to purify hearts and minds by generating mercy.

“As Buddhists and Christians, our religious principles and moral responsibilities motivate us to help mankind in its search for truth and peace,” said Card William Goh of Singapore. “May this celebration inspire us to cultivate greater understanding, kindness, and harmony within our communities,” said Archbishop Julian Leow of Kuala Lumpur.

The raid took place on 19 May, Pentecost Sunday. Two men on a motorbike threw a grenade during the service. Marybel Atis, 40, and Rosita Tubilo, 65, were hit by the shrapnel, sustaining several injuries. Card. Quevedo: 'dastardly' attack and 'sacrilegious act'. Appeal to the authorities for justice to be done.

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue releases a message for the feast marking the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. Venerable Maha Ghosanda, a witness to the horrors of the Cambodian genocide, called for the removal of “the landmines of hatred from our hearts.”