The funeral of the PIME missionary, a pioneer of dialogue with the Church in China after Mao’s persecution, was held today. In his last book, he told the story of one of his first trips to the Chinese capital where he met with some elderly people forced to quit the religious life. They understood that he was a priest, and asked him to bless some sacred images. He was moved when he bid them goodbye.
Card Domenico Calcagno read the text of the homily of the Chrism Mass in St Peter's Basilica. In the afternoon, the convalescent pontiff is expected to make a brief visit to the inmates in Rome’s Regina Coeli prison. Francis made a financial contribution to the people of Myanmar affected by a recent earthquake.
Nine hours of lessons a day plus homework in the evening, parental expectations, anxiety about the gaokao, the exam that opens the doors to the best universities. A recent study reveals the widespread feeling of never being good enough. The toll of the long years of the ‘one-child policy’ is also evident in the relational difficulties of today's teenagers.
Bishop Berardi recounts Holy Week among Catholics in the Gulf, a ‘unique’ reality due to the multitude of rituals and languages. Expatriates in Saudi Arabia use the internet and television to follow the celebrations. Prayers for peace in the Holy Land, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. The meaning of the mission, which is ‘first and foremost personal conversion’.
Total turnover remained more or less the same, but print runs collapsed, with a 23% drop in the number of books printed compared to the first quarter of 2022. Books translated from abroad fell by 27%, with a decidedly poor average for Russian readers of 2,500 copies printed per text. Readers are looking for substitutes for banned literature, buying Russian fantasy and horror books and Chinese novels.
Today's news: New Year's amnesty in Myanmar for 5,000 prisoners, except political prisoners; Washington's sanctions on Iranian oil exports also affect China; The Maldives bans Israeli tourists in retaliation for the war in Gaza; Bangkok unveils the first police robot created with artificial intelligence; Japan is a favourite destination for Taiwanese tourists.
