“The despair of death is swept away forever,” Leo XIV said on Easter Monday. Although “fake news” shroud Christian witness, "the truth does not remain hidden”. Proclaiming Easter is giving voice to hope “stifled by the hands of the violent.” Remembering Pope Francis, Leo said that the pontiff who passed away on 21 April 2025 bore “profound witness of faith and love”.
The accident occurred while a group of worshippers were on their way to a Easter vigil. The vehicle drove into the crowd at high speed. Following the incident, the local Catholic community protested the police failure to deploy officers to protect the celebration.
After decades of moving from place to place, the Tesalonika Ecumenical Christian Congregation in Banten province celebrated Good Friday in their own house of prayer. However, they still have to contend with the seals placed on the place of worship by local authorities who refuse to issue permits, partly due to hostility from local residents. Minority groups often face this kind of obstacle in Indonesia.
Today's news: The United States and Iran said to be brokering a 45-day truce, but Tehran denies negotiations and threatens retaliation. South Korea’s president expresses "regret" to North Korea for a drone incursion in the north. Afghanistan is seeking to boost trade with Central Asia to US$ 10 billion. The Gulf War is causing unsustainable price hikes for Thai families.
The Pope’s Urbi et Orbi message on the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Against a backdrop where war is felt everywhere this year, the Pope did not mention specific places but invited people to reflect on the ‘true strength’ that reconciles humanity by overcoming indifference. A special prayer vigil for peace has been called, which the Pope will preside over on 11 April in St Peter’s Basilica.
The Easter message from the editorial director of AsiaNews: ‘From Lebanon to Myanmar, and to the streets of Hong Kong, a long ordeal of suffering. May the spirit of the Risen Jesus, present in our time and in our world, bring comfort and grant peace and freedom.’
