Henan, Kaifeng Jews persecuted along with other religions

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith co him guilty of "solicitation in the Sacrament of Confession, and sins against the Sixth Commandment with minors and with adults, with the aggravating factor of the abuse of power".

Francis celebrated the opening Mass of the ‘Liberi dalla paura’ meeting, which is promoted by Catholic associations dedicated to welcoming and integrating migrants. For the pontiff, “fear is legitimate" vis-à-vis people different from us.” But far too often, we “refuse to encounter the other and raise barriers to defend ourselves.” Instead, we are called to overcome fears to open ourselves to encountering others because “Forsaking encountering [others] is not human.”

Francis spoke today at the opening ceremony of the 42nd session of the Board of Governors of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The eradication of poverty, the fight against hunger and the promotion of food sovereignty will not be possible "without achieving rural development, a development that has been talked about for a long time but that has not come to fruition".

"There is an impressive absence in the text of the 'Our Father'. A word is lacking that in our times - but perhaps always - all hold in high esteem: the word 'I' is missing. " And "the whole second part of the 'Our Father' is declined to the first plural person: us".

In Lhasa, Chinese officials urge Tibetans to be loyal to Beijing, complaining about those who harbour religious faith and worship in secret. In Markham County, police have been deployed in Tibetan neighbourhoods "to assess the mood of the people”. In Chamdo, visiting monasteries is banned, whilst in Sichuan, Tibetan government workers cannot go home for the holiday.

In a speech Xi cites the fathers of Marxism and great Chinese classics to assert the need to preserve nature. He also cited ecology as one of the five target areas to rejuvenate the Chinese nation.

During the Angelus, Pope Francis called on governments to tackle the causes of trafficking. Likewise, he called on everyone to "work together by speaking out against cases of exploitation and slavery". Jesus helped Peter and his fellow fishermen by "helping them not to fall victim to disappointment and discouragement in the face of defeat. He opened them up to becoming proclaimers and witnesses to his word and to the kingdom of God.”

The "logic of mercy" should counter that of a "throwaway" culture. Ecological awareness should be raised and the value of life defended at a time of new possibilities offered by the development of biomedical sciences.

Washington wants to discuss the long-standing question of Beijing’s treatment of intellectual property of US companies, forced to share information.

The story of John the Baptist, the precursor of Jesus, the one who said "Not I, this is" the Messiah. "He revealed him to the first disciples and then his light went out little by little, to the dark of that cell, in the prison, where, alone, he was beheaded". He died there in the cell, in anonymity, "like so many of our martyrs".

This is part of Beijing's policy to undermine Islam in the population. Officials deliver pork products directly to Muslim families and insist that traditional Chinese decorations for the New Year be displayed outside homes.

"We all need to be healed, because we all have spiritual diseases, all of us. But also we all have the opportunity to heal others, but only with this attitude. May the Lord give us this grace".

The National Health Commission (Nhc) ordered the cessation of the use of the immunoglobulin produced by Shanghai Xinxing Pharmaceutical. The authorities have made however conflicting statements. According to the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), the samples it examined were free of HIV and hepatitis B and C. The authorities announce that no patient has contracted the virus after treatment. Still, many fear for the safety of drugs produced by the state. Recently, anti-rabies and polio vaccines were found to be unsafe.

A statement by the director of Vatican Press Office confirms Francis’ availability.