Despite being an increasingly popular destination, the number of families living there permanently has fallen from 2,000 to 250. It takes three hours to reach the mainland on boats that transport fish. There is a lack of healthcare facilities, electricity and clean water. The difficult coexistence with tourist activities, which are fundamental to the economy but disrupt the life of the fishing community.
AsiaNews met the prelate in Awali, at the headquarters of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia, during a reportage in the Gulf countries. There are many challenges for a Church that is ‘growing’, from the catacombs in Saudi Arabia to the repercussions of the war between Israel and Hamas in the region. The solidarity of the population, close to the suffering of the inhabitants of the Strip.
From standardised textbooks prepared directly by the ministry to uniforms, education in Georgia is returning to the practices of the former Soviet Union. Even the age of enrolment in the first year has been raised to 6, reducing the number of classes in the entire school cycle to 11. The promise: ‘In all schools there will be a single approach, a single standard, a single level of quality.’
Leo XIV recites the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace. ‘Let us express our joy, for the immaculate beauty of the Mother of God.’ Mary's “yes” is “wonderful” and can be emulated ‘in prayer and in concrete works, from the most extraordinary gestures to daily services.’
Today's headlines: Turnout in Hong Kong's “patriots only” elections just 31.9%; Japan withdraws from plans to build a nuclear power plant in Vietnam; Twenty-five people die in a nightclub fire in Goa; The Gulf Centre for Human Rights denounces the forced disappearance of human rights activist Talib al-Saedi in Oman; Kyrgyzstan runs for a seat on the UN Security Council.
Pope Leo XIV spoke about the peoples of South and Southeast Asia hit by Cyclone Ditwah, urging the faithful to support them "with gestures of solidarity." Among the faithful, a sign read: "Sri Lanka is sinking. Don't leave us alone." Regarding his recent visit to Turkey and Lebanon, the pontiff said that it “teaches us that peace is possible, and that Christians [. . .] can contribute to building it up.”
