In Assisi, the extraordinary exposition of the saint's remains for the 800th anniversary of his death. Thousands of pilgrims, including some from Asia, tell AsiaNews: “We pray for peace, there are too many wars in the world.” Young people from South Korea are also visiting, ahead of World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027. At the same time, a relic of St. Francis' ashes is travelling through the Philippines, offering the country a unique opportunity for veneration.
From Myitkyina, a testimonial comes from Father Kurt Pala, a Philippine priest of the Missionaries of St. Columban, who has been ministering in a country disfigured by war for more than five years, where ”the poor and the earth [. . .] have taught me to pray while waiting for peace, to trust in God every moment of life, to share the last cup of rice with a neighbor, and to find joy in the small things”.
A journey marked by spiritual and social activities to deepen understanding and unity between spouses and their relationship with their children. The example of a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu experienced by the families of Marriage Encounter in the parish of Puttalam.
The version of Scripture in the Bidayuh language was officially launched in the Archdiocese of Kuching, Malaysian Borneo. This is an important tool for the elderly who lack literacy, but also for young people immersed in digital technology. For Archbishop Simon Poh, it “will help to promote and preserve the language, and in so doing preserve the faith and the cultures.”
The Dalit prelate, archbishop of Hyderabad, chosen by Pope Francis in 2022 as cardinal, has been elected to lead the CBCI, the collegial body that brings together the dioceses of the Latin, Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara rites. Monsignor Chandra Nayak tells AsiaNews: ‘Chosen for his merits: a message from the bishops to the whole of Indian society’. During the Assembly, the new translation of the missal into Konkani, the local language of Goa, was also presented.
The director of the Catholic Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur offers an initial assessment for Asia of the path Pope Francis set for dioceses worldwide, which continues with Leo XIV. Awareness is growing, albeit at different speeds depending on the context. Now the challenge is to translate the vitality of our Churches in Asia into a way of truly “walking together”.
Leo XIV's text for mission's Sunday published today on feast of the Conversion of St Paul, marking 100 years after its establishment in 1926. “One in Christ, united in mission” is the theme indicated by the pontiff.
Established by Pope Gregory XIII on 23 January 1576, it was the first in East Asia in the modern era and played a key role in the region’s evangelisation. St. Joseph's Seminary Church has been designated as a place of pilgrimage due to a special indulgence granted by the pope for this occasion. “Let the memory of the past become a compass for” today’s mission, writes Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-sang.
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’.
Some 15,000 people gathered in Hanoi at the shrine of the Vietnamese martyrs to celebrate the conclusion of a Holy Year marked by more than a thousand pilgrimages. Celebrations were also held in dioceses in mainland China. In Japan, Cardinal Kikuchi addressed the Church of Tokyo: "May the flame of hope never be extinguished.”
With a simple ceremony held in Seoul Cathedral, the itinerary that saw the symbols entrusted to young people by John Paul II travel through Bangladesh, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, East Timor, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia during 2025 came to an end. Sixty young people formed a living rosary, praying for those who suffer from poverty, war, the climate crisis and for their peers who have forgotten the love of Christ.
The Thurumbar, a caste providing laundry services who are discriminated even by Dalits, can send their children to study at the Life Empowerment Center in Acharapakkam. Thanks to the latter’s foundress Juliyes, who grew up among this marginalised group, solidarity is also extended to the Irula, an equally poor tribal community.
The recent congress held by the Churches of Asia in Malaysia was also an opportunity for many young people from the continent to exchange their experiences. Some have recently discovered Jesus, others grew up in Christian families but are now called to give reason for their faith, and others are young Christian migrants. From Taiwan to India, a snapshot of the generation looking forward to the return of WYD to Asia in 2027.
The celebration in Dhaka of the Jubilee Day of Radio Veritas Asia’s Bengali-language service also provided participants, including some Muslims, with an opportunity to share stories of how, in a country like Bangladesh, this media outlet helps people’s human and spiritual growth, beyond religious barriers. “Every religion inspires us to uphold truth,” said Bishop Romen Boraigi.
A mandate entrusted to over 800 delegates to make Jesus present through their lives in their own countries brought to a close the Great Pilgrimage of Hope, which saw the Churches of the continent gather in Malaysia. Cardinal David: ‘Evangelisation in Asia cannot be shouted: it is relational, respectful, contemplative.’ Card. Ferrao: ‘The hunger for God is deep. The yearning for justice is real. The thirst for meaning among our young people is intense.’
This year marks the fortieth anniversary of the initiative by local Catholic communities dedicating the last Sunday of the liturgical year to the relationship between the faithful and Sacred Scripture. According to some statistics, 36 per cent of Catholics regularly read and meditate on the Bible (half the rate of Protestants). South Korean dioceses offer many online programmes, catering to young people as well as senior citizens.
On the day celebrating the Jubilee of the Poor, a priest from the Diocese of Tokyo reflects on how he included the night-time “tent city” in St. Peter's Square in the Holy Year itinerary with a group of fellow countrymen. ‘An invitation not to judge, but to set out on a journey in our poverty together with others.’
The bishop of Kalookan and president of the Bishops’ Conference spoke about the fate of thousands of people who died during the Duterte years, whose fates have remained under investigation for years, with no answers for their families, this despite an inquiry by the Philippine Congress. To close this dark chapter, an independent body is needed to ensure that courage overcomes fear and accountability prevails over impunity.
In the Archdiocese of Verapoly, the Catholic community is preparing for the beatification of the nun who founded the first Indian Carmelite congregation, combining contemplative life with service to her brothers and sisters. Cardinal Sebastian Francis, who will preside over the ceremony on 8 November: ‘Stronger than any challenge by putting Jesus at the centre: a testimony to be imitated even today’.
In its message on the occasion of Deepavali - which is being celebrated at this time - the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue recalls the anniversary of the Second Vatican Council document that encouraged Catholics to engage in dialogue, recognising the values that every religious tradition brings with it. ‘Hindus and Christians together nurture peace in our homes, communities and societies.’
The Archbishop of Colombo made an appeal to this end during celebrations for the anniversary of the founding of the broadcaster TV Derana. Sri Lankans, who today struggle hard to earn a living, must learn to discern which influences are positive or negative, without passively accepting everything that comes from abroad.
1 October marked the anniversary of the canonisation desired by John Paul II which gave rise to the most conflictual moment in relations between Beijing and the Holy See. In the context of today's dialogue with the Beijing authorities, marking the feast may be cause for embarassment for some but the Chinese Catholic community has the right to remember and honour its martyrs, just like other churches around the world.
In the Noto Peninsula, the Diocese of Nagoya witnessed the joy of the consecration of a new church in Wajima 20 months after a devastating earthquake razed the old one. As a sign of things to come, the new place of worship welcomed some 20 Filipinos who discovered a home amid the tragedy and show of solidarity for this small community.
AsiaNews editorial director Fr. Gianni Criveller comments on the Pope's words on China in an interview released in recent days: "He guarantees the continuity of previous choices, aware that there is time between now and the new expiry of the Agreement in 2028. But he also says he is listening to the “underground” communities that (rightly or wrongly) feel they have been sacrificed. So that the government's narrative is not the only one in this complex and painful ecclesial affair."
Bishop Moon of Cheju, chairman of the Bishops' Conference's Committee for Family and Life, met with Democratic Party lawmakers who are promoting a bill that the Church sees as a path towards unlimited abortions. The issue came to the fore in 2019 after a ruling by the Constitutional Court. For Bishop, “We must move towards respect for life.”
St. Andrew's School in Mumbai - where teachers of different religions work side by side - has promoted a trip in the name of the historic document signed in 2019 by Pope Francis and Imam al Tayyeb. Headmaster Fr. Magi Murzello: ‘A common religious response to the challenge of pluralism and the promotion of diversity as a value rooted in religious freedom.’
Hundreds of people attended the ordination of Fr Limon Biswas, a PIME missionary like Fr Antonio Marietti, who was the first to speak about Jesus in 1856 in Jessore, a village in the present-day Diocese of Khulna. Now he himself will leave as a missionary for Papua New Guinea. “I hope he will spread the Gospel with dedication and love,” said Bishop Boiragi.
An international symposium in Hong Kong marks the centennial of the consecration of six Chinese bishops in Rome in 1926, a milestone in the inculturation of Chinese Catholicism and the subsequent experience of native cardinals.
A few days before the big event in Tor Vergata, the Archdiocese's Justice and Peace Commission held its Youth Day. Kashif Anthony: ‘I want to see their conditions improve and help them work to contribute to the betterment of society and our country.’
The Vietnamese Catholic Church celebrated the 400th anniversary of the birth of its first martyr, who was killed at the age of 19, with a live-streamed event involving communities across the country and the diaspora, which was also attended by the Pope.
