Today Francis receivedtoday, October 23, a delegation from the international association of delegates from the International Association of Penal Law (AIDP) and gave a long and detailed lecture-like speech discussing cases of abuse and problems affecting many corners of the world, without mentioning individual cases. He defined life imprisonment as a hidden death sentence (emphasizing that these kinds of sentences no longer exist in the Vatican).

During the Consistory presided by Pope Francis, the Vatican Secretary of State discussed the dramatic situation in the Middle East, urging patriarchs to avoid seeking the protection of military leaders and encouraging respectful dialogue with Islam. Francis pointed out that Christians are being persecuted amid the indifference of many.

“Vatican Insider” interviews the Archbishop of Manila: “The issue is mentioned in the final Synod document. The Synod is not a battle. In the Philippines people separate out of love for their children.

The paragraph of the text which outlines the differing opinions regarding the readmission of remarried divorcees to the sacraments obtained 104 votes in favour and 74 against. The paragraph on homosexuality has been modified after 118 Synod Fathers voted in favour and 62 against, despite the fact it makes reference to the Catechism. These points did not therefore receive the unanimous consensus of the Synod: An absolute majority was obtained but not a qualifying majority.

Bishops are to continue to reflect on the issue of remarried divorcees. Governments should do more to promote the rights of families the Synod said, ahead of the publication of the “relatio synodi” this afternoon

“Christ wanted his Church to be a house with doors always open to welcome everyone,” without leaving anyone out. Hence bishops are called to “accompany couples and families and care for their personal and social wounds.” The message, which was approved by the Synod Fathers, illustrates the “challenges” of family pastoral care, including “the hardships of existence”.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister, in this exclusive interview, speaks of his meeting with Pope Francis on October 18, and his country’s relations with the Holy See in recent years and in the future

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said his meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican on Saturday, October 18, “will present an opportunity for both sides to enhance mutual understanding, thus strengthening the relationship between Viet Nam and the Holy See.”

“If a same-sex couple has been in a relationship for thirty years, I can’t call that nothing.” Pontier, the President of the French Bishops’ Conference said: I’ll be surprised if we don’t reach a consensus on the Synod’s final document.

An analysis of the “relatio post disceptationem”, Cardinal Erdő’s summary of what was discussed in the first week of the Extraordinary Synod on the Family. The focus was on families facing difficult situations and the Church’s willingness to recognize the positive elements of “imperfect forms” of common-law marriages and cohabitation

The “Arab spring” that hit the Middle East in the last few years with the gross disturbance accompanied with it has affected the dwindling Christian Arab Communities in the region and rocked them to their roots.

Sister Maria of Nazareth has committed herself to an extraordinary mission. The Argentine nun from the Institute of the Incarnate Word has been living in Aleppo, Syria, for the past two months.

She has been ministering to a traumatized Christian community in the former million-strong metropolis in the north of the country, which has suffered some of the worst violence of the three year-old civil war.

Previously based in the Gaza Strip, Sister Maria has seen her share of violence.