Leo XIV has approved the election of the new leader of the Franciscan presence in the Holy Places, following in the footsteps of the saint of Assisi. Italian, 55 years old, the new custos takes over from Francesco Patton who has reached the end of his mandate. For the Minister General of the Friars Minor Massimo Fusarelli, "The particular context of conflict and violence” in the Holy Land and in the Middle East “makes our mission in these places even more urgent.”

The Middle East accounts for 25% of total tea exports. And 60% of private remittances come from the 1.5 million migrants working in the region. A 5% drop in orders could cost up to million a year. Attention is focused on the Strait of Hormuz for possible blockades by Tehran.

Speaking to AsiaNews, the activist slams the escalation with Iran. The Gaza War is no longer making headlines, but atrocities continue and the hostage issue remains unsolved. In Israel, normal life has been put on hold as Iranian missiles cause “scenes of destruction”. In this context, it is hard to see what the future has in store, except that “many Israelis would like to leave the country.”

Four Palestinian women from a family in Tamra are among the people killed by Iranian rockets, members of an extended family engaged in dialogue. Israel’s Arab towns and villages are most exposed because they lack bunkers and safe rooms. Italian Friends of Neve Shalom Wahat al-Salam are outraged that some in Israel “toasted watching rockets fall on Palestinian neighbours”. A group of Israeli and Iranian intellectuals issued a joint appeal for “peace and diplomacy”.

Even before the start of the Israeli raids and the Iranian reaction, the internet had been down in Gaza City for several days. For the first time since the beginning of the conflict, even the Latin parish of the Holy Family is unable to get news out. There is concern about the humanitarian situation, which remains critical. Fr Ibrahim Faltas: ‘The international community must find a solution to this inhumane situation. Let us continue to pray.’ 

The body of Nattapong Pinta, a Thai farm worker who died soon after he was captured, was recovered over the weekend. In Thailand, the authorities expressed their sadness over the death. The sister of another hostage, Bipin Joshi, from Nepal, issued an appeal for his release, but his fate remains uncertain. In Israel, the Israeli parliament (Knesset) is set to vote on Wednesday on a motion to dissolve it over the issue of military service for Haredi Jews.