by Melani Manel Perera | SRI LANKA

In a message to the faithful, the Archbishop of Colombo talks about a “very painful situation”, calling for holidays without excessive celebrations, extravagance, and waste. A Catholic NGO is leading the way in providing aid – food, drinking water, medical supplies, and cash – to various parishes.

by Fady Noun

The surprising welcome of the Lebanese people, whom Leone XIV praised for the “simplicity” of their faith. They recognised him as a “man of God full of zeal and compassion”. Beirut's efforts to make peace with Israel (and the US). A land of encounter between Islam and Christianity, it must also become a pioneer of Christian unity.

| 04/12/2025
| LEBANON - VATICAN
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The debate among Russians over Islamic rituals in public spaces in the absence of sufficient places of worship is becoming increasingly heated. Muslim religious authorities reiterate their recommendation to choose places where other people are not disturbed. But in the growing climate of hostility towards communities from Central Asia, there is no shortage of violent raids against Muslims at prayer.

| 04/12/2025
| RUSSIA
by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil *

The Archbishop Emeritus of Guwahati spoke to the Asian Missionary Congress. While nationalists see Christians as foreigners, “we defend the values ​​of our people”. As missionaries, too little is being done, but bringing Jesus can heal “negative memories” and “build more relationships”.

| 03/12/2025
| MALAYSIA – INDIA

Visitors from China will be able to use payment apps, making transactions easier. Soon, Thai nationals will also benefit from this technology in China. The system, increasingly used across ASEAN, serves not only to exchange money but also to strengthen trust, convenience, and a shared commitment to a more seamless financial future.

 

| 03/12/2025
| THAILAND – CHINA
by Dario Salvi

For Bishop Palinuro, the presence of Leo XIV has restored "enthusiasm" to a Catholic community that had fallen into a certain torpor. The encounter with Orthodox leaders represented a return "to the origins of our faith," even if challenges remain. The pontiff's simple gestures have lifted “biases" among Muslims. The Vatican and Turkey are equally committed to peace in the Middle East through diplomacy.

 

| 03/12/2025
| TURKEY – VATICAN
by Nirmala Carvalho

The Allahabad High Court has ordered the Indian state to revoke the benefit within four months. Addressing the case of a Christian, the judges ruled that maintaining the status would be ‘fraud against the Constitution’. Bishop of Berhampur: but the social and economic backwardness of Dalits persists even after conversion.

| 03/12/2025
| INDIA
Editor's choices
 
Leo XIV has arrived in Beirut, where he delivered his first address to the authorities, speaking about the resilience of the Land of the Cedars and the challenge of achieving reconciliation that goes beyond a mere balance of interests. “A culture ...
| 01/12/2025
| LEBANON - VATICAN
 
by Giorgio Bernardelli
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 ...
| 30/11/2025
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA
 
by Giorgio Bernardelli
In Penang, 800 delegates from churches across the continent gathered for a ‘pilgrimage of hope’ in the Jubilee year. Cardinal Tagle: like the Magi, we reject the despair of today's Herods. Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching: ‘We are ...
| 28/11/2025
| MALAYSIA - ASIA
 
by Alessandra De Poli
The devastating fire that destroyed much of a public housing complex in Tai Po has exposed the fragility of Hong Kong's housing system, characterised by overcrowding, negligently managed construction sites, and thousands of senior citizens and domestic ...
| 27/11/2025
| RED LANTERNS
 
by Nirmala Carvalho
Fr Susai Jesu, a missionary with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, was called by Leo XIV to lead the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas. Since 2007, he has lived his ministry among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people, participating in the journey ...
| 19/11/2025
| INDIA – CANADA
 
by Sumon Corraya
A court in Dhaka convicted the former prime minister of "crimes against humanity" for her role in the crackdown of student protests in July 2024. As a result, the capital was placed under lockdown, while clashes and protests erupted across the city. ...
| 17/11/2025
| BANGLADESH
 
by fr. Hiroshi Konishi *
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 ...
| 16/11/2025
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA
 
by Fady Noun
The expectations of the people of Beirut two weeks before the Pope's arrival. Sadness over a brief and heavily guarded visit: ‘Will he really be able to see the country as it is, or will they give him the false impression that everything is ...
| 14/11/2025
| LEBANON - VATICAN
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”