On All Souls' Day, Pope Leo led the Mass at Rome's Verano cemetery, remembering the lives torn away by war. May the tears of many mothers, children, and senior citizens “touch the consciences of those who have the power to silence the weapons!”
Almost two years after Assad’s fall, Israel continues to run roughshod over the Syrian villages where it has expanded its presence. A few days ago, a deaf man with Down syndrome who failed to hear an order was shot dead, sparking protests, but al-Sharaa’s words at the UN do not produce any results.
UNICEF warns that 190 million children across the Asia-Pacific region could suffer the consequences of this climatic phenomenon. In Cambodia, already hit by flooding and displacement along the border with Thailand, more than one in five children is at risk.
Today’s headlines: Japan identifies North Korean hackers behind recent cyber-attacks and seeks US cooperation; To retain ‘expats’, Malaysia to allow spouses to work as well; Burmese workers in Thailand fear remittances are funding regime.; Thousands of Bengali Muslims evicted in the Indian state of Assam.
Leo XIV at the Angelus on the Solemnity of All Saints: “countless” unknown saints, yet known to God. Holiness cannot be reduced “to any calculation, for such is the good they have spread”. He calls for “cooperation between the parties” in Ukraine to foster “concrete initiatives for peace”.
An initiative of the FABC, bishops and pastoral workers gather in Macao to reflect on how to rise to the challenge set out by Leo XIV in his encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas”. They examined the reality of a continent at the forefront of AI but also one that is more exposed to its contradictions. They also proposed some concrete actions for the Churches.
The year was 1987, but thanks to the tenacity of many young people, South Korea, the land of the "economic miracle”, won a truly democratic constitution, making it a leader in Asia. Yet today, it must contend with deep polarisations that threaten to undermine the common good.
The Gangaramaya Temple and the India International Centre are behind the SAMHiTA project. Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha was present at the ceremony. A team of local experts will carry out the work, expected to end by late November 2026, part of an effort to preserve the cultural and Buddhist heritage of South Asia.
During Prime Minister Rahman’s visit to Bangladesh, the aim is to become a “long-term economic partner”. The focus is on several strategic sectors, including energy, information technology, railways, infrastructure and deep-sea ports.
When Prime Minister Pashinyan speaks of a peace with Azerbaijan “that will last 400 years”, he is not merely engaging in political hyperbole. He is looking towards a future for Yerevan that is not dependent on the regional balance of power at any given time.
The practice of wearing a costume depicting a character from manga, video games or films is now widespread amongst young Chinese people. And it often happens that they find themselves in front of churches to take their photos. An AsiaNews source living in China describes the reactions of the Christian community.
She was eight months old when the atomic bomb destroyed her city. Ten years later, she met the co-pilot of the Enola Gay and realised she no longer wanted revenge. In Milan, she told her story to over 300 young people from Sant’Egidio: “You must know what happened, so that it never happens again”.
A recent study estimates that nearly 40 per cent of children have blood lead levels exceeding the threshold set by the World Health Organisation. The difficulty of preventing disposal in soil or water is compounded by a shortage of facilities for special waste and their poor efficiency.
For Masar Jadid leader Samer Sinijlawi, the turnout was crucial. Now the goal is to mobilise Palestinians for a Palestinian election in March. The high turnout in East Jerusalem is another sign of change. For Adel Misk, at the polls, the voiceless revived the Palestinian issue.
The Melkite parish priest highlights the long-established coexistence with Muslim neighbours in Hmoud, where the attack took place, and of the grief shared by sister communities, now united in these days of sorrow. A direct attack on Christians raises questions about the future. The clergyman also looks at poverty and hardships in Jordan’s remote areas, far from Amman.
From Thailand to Malaysia, thousands of homes remain on the market despite high demand for housing. High prices, difficulty in obtaining mortgages, and locations far from workplaces are widening the gap between the available housing supply and the financial means of young workers and families.
Nancy Sequeira calls for her son’s release. Randall is currently held in pre-trial detention for his involvement in protests against bauxite mining in Kantamal. A doctor who works with Adivasi communities, he is accused of inciting clashes that took place in April. The St. John’s Medical College in Bengaluru and Bishop Percival Fernandez have expressed their solidarity.
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