Pakistan, a country where the Christian minority experiences terrible persecution and discrimination, simply because of their faith.

The rupture of sacramental communion between the Patriarchates of Moscow and Constantinople over the “Ukrainian issue” risks triggering potentially irreparable processes of laceration.

Francis launches the Christmas campaign organized by Aid to the Church in Need. In his catechesis he reflects on the season of Advent: let us open ourselves up to the many peoples tormented by hunger and injustice.

Does the Mother of Jesus have any relevance to the present Church crisis? In light of the ubiquitous commentaries questioning obedience to Pope Francis, clerical sex abuse, and the proper role of bishops and laity, it is, perhaps, time to return to basics. It is time to return to Mary.

That people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith, may find, in their dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the present time.

Offering prayer

Message of the Pontiff on the feasts of St. Andrew: “ While centuries of mutual misunderstanding, we can work together today for peace, for the abolition of all forms of slavery, for the respect and dignity of every human being and for the care of creation”

“The Church should not see “with anxiety” that “many churches, until a few years ago needed, are now no longer necessary, for lack of faithful and clergy, or for a different distribution of the population in cities and rural areas”, but welcome this change “as a sign of the times that invites us to reflect and requires us to adapt”. The Pope emphasized this in a message to the participants at the conference: “Doesn’t God dwell anymore?

Pope Francis concludes his catechesis on the Ten Commandments during the Wednesday General Audience, reflecting on the Ten Commandments in the light of Christ. The official summary in English follows.

Despite being the smallest state in the world, when it comes to diplomacy the Vatican plays in the big leagues. Today, it’s actively involved in peace talks in Africa, from the Central African Republic to Ethiopia, in mending past wounds with Cuba and North Korea, and in promoting welcoming policies for immigrants in the world and especially the West.

Three days ago I was reading one of the Catholic newspapers we receive, the National Catholic Register, and one of the articles highlighted the Christians who were preparing to celebrate Christmas in Qaraqosh in Iraq.*

There was a photo of their burned church, and someone posted it on our bulletin board.

Just reading that article stirred me to read a few things online about this Christian city that was so devastated by ISIS.