Fides News - English

ASIA/LAOS - The Church welcomes two new Laotian priests. Apostolic Vicar of Vientane:" an immense gift from God that instills hope"

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:10:04 +0200

Thakhek - It is a gift that instills hope for the future: the small Catholic Church in Laos has two new priests who, with their service, will be able to contribute to the pastoral care of the Laotian communities, scattered in small villages in a rugged and mountainous territory. In a celebration marked by dances, songs, hymns, and prayers, in the presence of more than 1,200 Catholic faithful from across the country and neighboring countries such as Thailand and the Philippines, Msgr. Jean-Marie Vianney Prida Inthirath, Apostolic Vicar of Savannakhet, conferred priestly ordination on Father Peter Gnantina Phiakeo and Father Philip Nouy Kamhou, both religious belonging to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, yesterday, April 22, at St. Louis Church in Thakhek . This is an extraordinary event for the local Church in a nation where there are a total of 20 priests and no foreign missionaries, as their presence is not permitted by the government. According to Msgr. Anthony Adoun Hongsaphong, Apostolic Vicar of Vientiane, who was present at the event, “it was a festive and joyful celebration, marked by the presence of many young people, along with more than 40 priests and numerous religious sisters: all wanted to join in praising the Lord and praying for the two new priests, an immense gift that God bestows upon the Laotian Church.”
The solemn Eucharist, which lasted more than two and a half hours, he added, was preceded by a prayer vigil the previous evening, during which all the people of God gathered in Thakhek remained in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. “The large and diverse community of the faithful present participated with vibrant faith and profound spiritual intensity, praising God and placing the future of the Church in Laos in His hands,” Msgr. Anthony Adoun Hongsaphong noted.
Speaking to Fides, Msgr. Enrique Figaredo, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, Cambodia, and current president of the Laotian-Cambodian Episcopal Conference , expressed his closeness and joy: “The Laotian community, despite the existing limitations and difficulties, moves forward with faith, hope, and charity. It is not discouraged. Laos is a beautiful country, both in its natural beauty and because of the character of its people, who are always so kind and welcoming. We are happy that the Lord continues to provide laborers for his harvest in a community that needs priests for the pastoral care of the faithful. The Lord works wonders in a wonderful place. The small Laotian Catholic Church looks ahead with hope, trusting in God's Providence, and the gift of two new priests is very important for instilling joy and confidence in the future. We stand with our brothers and sisters in Laos, accompanying them in prayer, and walking with them along the path the Lord shows us, confident that he will guide us and give us the light and strength of his Spirit.”

AFRICA/SUDAN - Resumption of Sudanese airstrikes on Kordofan

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:57:08 +0200

Khartoum – The Sudanese air force has resumed bombing operations in Kordofan using piloted aircraft after a months-long hiatus.
On Wednesday, April 22, Sudanese military aircraft flew over Kordofan for the first time in months, bombing targets belonging to the Rapid Support Forces near the town of Dilling in South Kordofan State.
The Sudanese Air Force had suspended its air operations over the Kordofan and Darfur regions after RSF air defenses shot down several fighter and transport aircraft. The last aircraft was lost in Babanusa in West Kordofan. The loss of manned aircraft had forced the Sudanese Air Force, commanded by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, to resort to drones. However, these unmanned aerial vehicles have a limited range. In recent months, drones belonging to the Sudanese Armed Forces have repeatedly attacked the RSF and its ally, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North , in Dilling and nearby towns such as Abu Zabad, Al-Fula, Al-Mujlad, and Lagawa. On April 22, Russian-made fighter jets bombed several RSF and SPLM-N targets near Dilling, the second-largest city in South Kordofan, which had been bombed for months by the RSF/SPLM-N military alliance.
These renewed attacks by manned Sudanese aircraft followed targeted attacks on RSF air defenses in the previous months. In particular, in February, a Chinese-made missile battery, believed to have been supplied to the RSF by the United Arab Emirates, was hit.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the three-year war are intensifying . Following the recent International Sudan Conference in Berlin, General al-Burhan traveled to Saudi Arabia and Oman for talks. The Saudi leadership supports the Egyptian-led effort to reach a ceasefire between the Sudanese warring parties.

LEO XIV IN AFRICA - Salesian missionary Giusy Becchero: in the Pope's words, a delicate balance between prophecy and diplomacy, in closeness to the most vulnerable

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:19:17 +0200

Malabo – Yesterday, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Pope Leo XIV began the final leg of his apostolic journey to Africa with his arrival in Equatorial Guinea. “After 44 years, the Successor of Peter is among us, and we have welcomed him with great affection, as only Equatorial Guinea knows how. It was an encounter between ‘heaven and earth.” The Pope has given us his closeness, reminding us of the presence of Christ among us with his demanding and profound words, and with his embrace of children,” Sister Giusy Becchero, of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians , who works in the Archdiocese of Malabo, wrote to Fides. “The most beautiful moment was when he took the children in his arms and let them hug him… it made me think of the phrase ‘Blessed are the humble and the pure of heart,’” the FMA sister added.

“This trip evokes that of Saint John Paul II in 1982, who was received by the same President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Before him, in power for more than four decades, Leo XIV delivered a balanced yet significant speech at the Presidential Palace. Without adopting a confrontational tone, he invited the authorities to “place themselves at the service of law and justice,” emphasizing the importance of a sincere commitment to the common good.” “I know that you have undertaken the ambitious project of building a city that, for a few months now, has been the new capital of your country. You have chosen a name that seems to echo that of biblical Jerusalem: City of Peace.” “May this decision challenge each person’s conscience regarding which city they wish to serve!” the Pope said, addressing the president, the authorities, and the diplomatic corps. “It is worth remembering,” Sister Giusy noted, “that until a few days ago, the capital of Equatorial Guinea was Malabo; now there will be a new capital called the City of Peace.
The Holy Father spoke at length about the theme of peace, emphasizing that it is not something that is built like a city, but a reality that is born from within.”

Another highlight of the day was the visit to the “León XIV” campus of the National University, which was inaugurated in his name. “It is worth the effort to continue wagering on the formation of new generations and on the task, so demanding and yet so noble, of seeking the truth and putting knowledge at the service of the common good,” the Pope affirmed. A truth “that precedes us, calls us and transcends us,” and that “is not fabricated, not manipulated nor possessed like a trophy, but welcomed, sought with humility and served with responsibility.”

“Beyond official meetings,” Sister Giusy continues, “the Pope also made concrete gestures, faithful to the spirit of his pontificate.” “The visit to the Jean-Pierre Olié Psychiatric Hospital in Malabo was one of the most significant moments of the day. By visiting the patients and the healthcare staff, he highlighted an often-marginalized reality: that of vulnerable people, especially those suffering from mental disorders. This pastoral gesture reminds us that human dignity does not depend on social status or health condition, but is inherent in every person. Those in charge of the center interpreted the visit as a powerful signal and a call to pay greater attention to those who are often forgotten. In a Country where significant health and social challenges persist, the Pope’s presence provides an incentive to promote more inclusive and humane policies,” she added.

“This stop in Equatorial Guinea,” concludes the nun, “well sums up the spirit of Leo XIV’s journey to Africa: a delicate balance between prophetic words and diplomacy, coupled with a concrete closeness to the most vulnerable. In invoking law, justice, and solidarity, the Pope is addressing not only those in power, but all of society, called to be the protagonists of a more just and fraternal future.”

AFRICA/NIGERIA - “True development is not based on GDP, but on the effective improvement of living conditions”

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:32:35 +0200

Abuja – “The incessant violent attacks and indiscriminate killings occurring throughout the country are inhumane and unjustifiable acts, and a grave affront to the sanctity of life,” stated the Council of the Laity of Nigeria in a statement released at the conclusion of its 157th National Executive Council. The country’s main association of lay faithful urged political and institutional leaders to “protect the lives and property of the population, while implementing sustainable economic policies that prioritize human dignity for the common good of the nation.”
The proliferation of armed gangs and serious forms of banditry stems from multiple factors, but one of the main ones lies in the poverty and precarious conditions in which a large part of the population lives, in a country rich in natural resources. In this regard, the Council denounces “the gap between rich and poor, as well as the growing difficulties that exacerbate the suffering of many Nigerians,” and calls on citizens to denounce injustices, promote peace, defend the most vulnerable, and safeguard the dignity of every person.
The Council of Catholic Laity of Nigeria believes that “true development in modern society cannot be based solely on measuring Gross Domestic Product , but rather on the effective improvement of living conditions and emancipation.”
If authentic development is founded on “human dignity, it becomes the driving force of social justice, fostering the construction of a sustainable, supportive, and stable society.” The message concludes by reiterating the Council’s commitment, “in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria ,” to work “for the well-being of the population, promoting peace, unity, justice, and responsible leadership in Nigeria.” “We will work with the determination to demand that the government fulfill its obligations, create development opportunities, and address issues such as insecurity, inequality, and marginalization, while simultaneously facilitating the formation of the laity through catechesis and a deeper understanding of the Church's Social Doctrine.”
In Nigeria, homicides, violent robberies, and attacks on villages are frequent. Among the most recent victims is an Anglican priest, Reverend Emmanuel Ezeokwe, killed by a group of bandits in the early hours of April 21. The victim was vicar of the Anglican Church of Zinai, in the Cathedral Archdeaconry, within the Anglican Diocese of Yola. According to a statement released on social media by the Nigerian Anglican Church, the reverend was killed by armed men who stormed into the community of Zinai, in the Song district of Adamawa State, in the northeast of Nigeria.

ASIA/PAKISTAN - Christian cemetery desecrated in Lahore

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 11:41:30 +0200

Lahore - A Christian cemetery was desecrated and several faithful, both men and women, were brutally attacked in Lahore. According to Aneeqa Maria Anthony, a lawyer of the organiztion ‘The Voice Society’, who spoke to Fides and intervened at the scene, the incident occurred on April 18. In addition to the desecration, there was also an attack on young Christians who were visiting their deceased loved ones. Thanks to the intervention of The Voice Society, which is providing legal and medical assistance to the injured, a formal complaint was filed the following day in Lahore against nine men for attempted murder, and vandalism of places of worship.
The attack occurred when a young Christian man, Pervez Masih, intervened to defend several young Christian women who were being insulted and harassed by young Muslim men. Pervez Masih's father is the caretaker of the cemetery, and his family takes care of the Christian cemetery in Asif Town, Lahore. The cemetery is considered a holy place where the city's Christians go daily to honor and pray for their deceased. Adjacent to the cemetery is a church where liturgies, funerals, and prayer services are held. According to testimonies gathered, visitors, especially young women, suffer constant harassment from young Muslims from a nearby neighborhood. On April 18, the situation escalated into mob violence: at least nine individuals stormed the cemetery, vandalized graves and crosses, repeatedly stabbed Pervez Masih, and assaulted Christian women, beating and stripping them.
Volunteers from The Voice Society are fighting to hold the attackers accountable and for the Christian community to obtain justice. The attack, says Anthony, “constitutes a desecration of a sacred place, a religiously motivated hate crime that demands the full application of the law.” Police have arrested four of the accused, while the investigation continues.

LEO XIV IN AFRICA - Pope in Equatorial Guinea: “The Church’s social teaching offers guidance to all who seek peace and justice”

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:50:41 +0200

Malabo – “It is always a joy to see places around the world where the Church is growing,” said Pope Leo XIV at a press conference on the flight from Luanda to Malabo in Equatorial Guinea, the last country on his first trip to Africa as Pope, where he was greeted with exuberant joy by numerous faithful from the moment of his arrival. In his first address at the Presidential Palace to representatives of the government, the diplomatic corps, and civil society, he declared that he was happy “to be here and to visit the beloved people of Equatorial Guinea.”

He was welcomed by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who had also welcomed Pope John Paul II 44 years ago. He stands as a symbol for those political leaders and rulers who, in many African states, have secured their power for unusually long periods. Forty-four years ago, in his address to President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo—who had come to power through a coup against the dictatorial regime of his uncle, Francisco Macías Nguema—Pope John Paul II described the city as “the symbolic center to which the living aspirations of a people converge for the establishment of a social climate of authentic liberty, justice, respect and promotion of the rights of every person or group, and better living conditions, which allow everyone to realize themselves as human beings and as children of God.” Pope Leo XIV echoed these words in his address, emphasizing: “These are words that remain timely and that challenge anyone entrusted with public responsibility,” and in his address he also recalled the criteria that guide Christians on the path of history and in dealing with world affairs.

The Pope repeatedly quoted Saint Augustine, who, in his work "De Civitate Dei," interpreted events and history according to the model of two cities: the City of God, the eternal city, characterized by unconditional love for God , along with love for one's neighbor, especially the poor; and the earthly city, which is a temporary dwelling place, where men and women live until death. "From this perspective," the Bishop of Rome stated, "the two cities coexist until the end of time." And Christians are called "by God to dwell in the earthly city while keeping their hearts and minds turned toward the heavenly city, their true homeland." "Every human being," Pope Leo XIV continued, "can benefit from the ancient realization of living on earth as a pilgrim." And it is essential "to discern the difference between that which lasts and that which passes, remaining free from the pursuit of unjust wealth and the illusion of dominion.”

For this reason, Pope Leo affirms, “the Church’s social teaching offers guidance to all who seek to address the “new things” that destabilize our planet and human coexistence, while prioritizing, above all else, the Kingdom of God and his justice.” This is “a fundamental dimension of the Church’s mission: to contribute to the formation of consciences through the proclamation of the Gospel, the provision of moral criteria and authentic ethical principles — all while respecting individual freedom and the autonomy of nations and their governments.”

With regard to Equatorial Guinea and other African countries, Leo XIV affirms that “exclusion is the new face of social injustice.” He recalls that Tthe gap between a ‘small minority’ — 1% of the population — and the overwhelming majority has widened dramatically. He emphasizes that “the rapid technological evolution we are witnessing has accelerated speculation” that seemingly overshadows fundamental imperatives such as the safeguarding of creation, the rights of local communities, the dignity of labor and the protection of public health.” In this context, he quotes Pope Francis in his apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium” about “such an economy kills.” He notes that the current “proliferation of armed conflict is often driven by the exploitation of oil and mineral deposits, occurring with no regard for international law or the self-determination of peoples.” And the new technologies themselves “appear to be conceived and utilized primarily for warlike purposes.”
But—the successor of Peter continued—“God does not want this.” And “his holy Name must not be profaned by the will to dominate, by arrogance or by discrimination; above all, it must never be invoked to justify choices and actions of death.” The concluding words of Pope Leo’s first address in Equatorial Guinea are encouraging: “Your country,” the Pope said, “is a young country! I am certain, therefore, that within the Church you will find help for the formation of free and responsible consciences, enabling you to advance together toward the future.” The Pope recalled that “in a world wounded by arrogance, people hunger and thirst for justice” and that “it is necessary to encourage those who believe in peace and to dare to engage in “countercurrent” politics — those which place the common good at their very center.” He concluded by emphasizing that “The city of God — the city of peace — is indeed received as a gift from on high, the horizon toward which our every noble aspiration turns. It is both a promise and a task.” “Let us, walk together, with wisdom and hope, towards the city of God, which is the city of peace,” the Bishop of Rome concluded.

VATICAN - Between History and Transcendence: Urbaniana University hosts conference on "The Future of Desire"

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:52:39 +0200

Rome – The human heart, created “restless” by God, as Saint Augustine described it, and the yearning for peace that pervades nations in a time marked by “continuous wars”; desire as a key to understanding the promises of the Gospel and its destiny in the face of the potential and manipulations linked to artificial intelligence: these are some of the perspectives that converge at the inter-faculty congress entitled “The Future of Desire: Between History and Transcendence,” which will be held in the Aula Magna of the Pontifical Urbaniana University on Wednesday, April 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The congress will explore the themes of the inter-faculty conference entitled “The Future of Desire: Between History and Transcendence.” The first presentation, by theology professor Antonio Landi, anticipates the core of the meeting from its title: “And the desire of God became flesh. Desire as a Christological category in the Gospels,” highlighting how the longing of God’s heart and that of humankind are intertwined in the gratuitous mystery of the Incarnation. Patrologist Armando Genovese, in his second presentation “The Restless Heart: A Journey in Desire according to Saint Augustine,” will trace the spiritual journey of the Bishop of Hippo, who, following the yearnings of his own heart, came to encounter the grace of Christ. The third presentation, entitled “Desire for Peace: Towards a Generative Lifestyle,” entrusted to the theology of religions professor Carmelo Dotolo, will propose the shared desire for peace as the foundation for forms of coexistence among different peoples and as a form of resistance against the dynamics of permanent conflict. Following a discussion and a short break, philosophy professor Adrian Ndreca will present his reflection, “The Exploratory Distance of Desire as a Space of Encounter: Towards a Phenomenology of Incompleteness.” Meanwhile, Giambattista Formica, professor of the History of Contemporary Philosophy, will address the uncertainty surrounding desire in the digital age with his presentation, “Know Thyself: The Desire to Interact with AI.” The event will conclude with another discussion and a final synthesis of the presentations, which can also be followed via Zoom .

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ASIA/PAKISTAN - Child marriages and the case of Christian Maria Shahbaz: Christian community calls for respect for laws protecting minors

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:45:24 +0200

Lahore – “It is urgent to implement child protection laws and an immediate review of the legislative gaps highlighted by the recent case of the Christian girl Maria Shahbaz is necessary. Existing laws on child marriage contain ambiguities that are exploited, allowing some men to gain custody of underage girls under the guise of alleged marital rights,” Catholic politician Anthony Naveed, Vice President of the Parliament of Pakistan’s Sindh Province, told Fides.
In April 2026, Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court issued a controversial ruling in the case of 13-year-old Christian Maria Shahbaz, who was abducted in Lahore in 2025. Although her family presented evidence of her age and lack of consent, and denounced the abduction and forced marriage, the court allowed Maria to remain with her abductor, arguing that she had reached puberty. In Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim country, legal decisions are often based on differences between civil law and Islamic law, which does not stipulate a fixed minimum age for marriage and permits it upon reaching puberty. However, Naveed notes, “The laws against child marriage throughout Pakistan were enacted to protect minors and guarantee the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution,” Naveed states. “These laws have already been declared compatible with Islamic precepts by the Federal Constitutional Court in its rulings, underscoring the need for their strict application.” The Federal Constitutional Court’s ruling in Maria's case, Naveed continues, “has revealed serious deficiencies in the implementation of the laws protecting minors.” Naveed observes, “Although the laws against child marriage criminalize the act and provide penalties for those who marry a minor, as well as for those who perform or witness a child marriage, they do not affect the legal validity of marriages involving minors. Therefore, this marriage is not, in fact, invalid.” Naveed reports that “the family, along with their legal team, has now appealed this decision to the Supreme Court.” In this context, Father Lazar Aslam , director of the Capuchin Order’s Commission for Justice, Peace and Ecology, notes “an alarming increase in abductions, forced conversions, and forced marriages of underage Christian girls in Pakistan” and remarks that the recent court ruling could further encourage and legitimize the phenomenon. “We categorically reject the recent case law that exploits religious law to legitimize the kidnapping of minors.
These developments represent a systemic injustice that places minorities in particular in a state of constant and pervasive fear.” The friar told Fides of a “recently heartbreaking tragedy”: Two Christian sisters—eight-year-old Zarish and fourteen-year-old Muqaddas—were abducted in Sadiqabad and taken to Karachi, robbed of their home and their innocence. Police confirmed the violence after the victims were found in the Shirin Jinnah Colony neighborhood. “Muqaddas, the older sister, who was transferred to intensive care after unimaginable suffering, died from the effects of the abuse. A fourteen-year-old girl, a life shattered. May the Lord hold her in his arms, in a place where no one can harm her anymore, where every tear dries and every wound heals,” said the priest. The Justice, Peace and Ecology Commission points to a list of recent cases affecting the Christian community. On March 24, seventeen-year-old Christian Niya disappeared from her home in Kot Radha Kishan. Her family confirmed that she had been abducted and forced to convert. Despite a formal complaint
naming the main suspect, there has been no progress in the case. There are indications of a lack of cooperation from local law enforcement, while those responsible continue to threaten the family. On April 6, 20-year-old Christian Laiba Javaid received a written death threat demanding that she renounce her Christian faith and marry a Muslim man. Otherwise, the threat stated, she would be executed. On April 8, 14-year-old Christian Waziya Zahid was abducted in Toba Tek Singh. Her parents say she was kidnapped with the intention of forcibly converting her to Islam and marrying a Muslim man. “In many cases, despite private support from some Muslim clerics, there is a certain reluctance to speak out publicly,” said Father Aslam. “The Commission calls on the families who speak out against this issue and defend the families whose rights are trampled upon with impunity and whose daughters are abducted.” In solidarity with the victims’ families, the Commission calls on the Pakistani government to “ensure the immediate and safe return of the abducted girls to their families of origin” and to “prosecute to the fullest extent those who use forced conversion as a cover for the crime of abduction.”

AFRICA/ETHIOPIA - Fears of possible escalation of violence in Tigray

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:29:11 +0200

Addis Ababa – The Tigray People's Liberation Front has announced the restoration of a regional parliament, the election of which was one of the triggers for the war in northern Ethiopia. In a Facebook post, the Front stated that its central committee has decided to reinstate the Tigray Government Assembly, elected by some 2.8 million people and suspended in the name of peace. "This decision has been taken because the federal government is violating the Pretoria Agreement, we were not consulted," said a senior official of the Front who wishes to remain anonymous.

According to local media reports, this has raised fears of a resumption of the bloody conflict between the Ethiopian government and regional forces, which has already claimed at least 600,000 lives between 2020 and 2022. Since then, the country has been governed under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of Pretoria, which stipulates a permanent cessation of hostilities between the government and the TPLF. The agreement was brokered by the African Union and signed in the South African capital, Pretoria, on November 2, 2022 . It provided for the establishment of a provisional administration for Tigray through dialogue between the two parties, which was to replace the region's elected bodies until new elections could be held. Although the TPLF, which ruled Ethiopia for three decades, continues to exert influence at the regional level, it is no longer registered as a political party following the rise of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to power.

The 2020 election was not recognized by the federal authorities, and was one of the triggers for the deadly Tigray war that plunged the region into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. More than 1,300 people died due to shortages of food and medicine. Aid organizations report that up to 80% of the population is in need of emergency assistance, and that funding gaps are putting a massive strain on the healthcare system.

ASIA/CHINA - "Encounter with the Lord, a synodal journey": the first spiritual retreat of the Chinese bishops

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:13:41 +0200

Wuhan – A total of 23 bishops from nine Chinese provinces participated in the first spiritual retreat of 2026 from April 13 to 18, focusing on the theme “Encounter with the Lord, a Synodal journey.”
The retreat, held at the South Central China Seminary for Philosophy and Theology in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, was led by Father John Baptist Zhang Shijiang, founder of the communication platform “Xinde.org” and head of China’s leading Catholic aid organization, “Jinde Charities.”
Father Zhang structured his meditations around four sub-themes: “Letting go and emptying oneself for inner reflection,” "Putting out into the deep toward maturity ,” “Loving the Lord deeply in full communion with Him ,” and “Healthy and balanced friendship .” He also encouraged those present to reflect on their spiritual lives, pastoral ministry, and personal discipline, referring to the “Thematic Education” campaign initiated by the civil authorities.
Joseph Shen Bin, Bishop of the Diocese of Shanghai, also participated in the retreat and celebrated the closing Mass.

At the end of the spiritual retreat, the bishops expressed their gratitude for the profound meditations, which had helped them recognize the connection between the lives and ministries of the Holy Apostles and their own pastoral ministry and spiritual lives. The meditations also linked traditional Chinese culture with the Christian faith, offering a contemporary, biblically grounded response to pressing needs and problems related to the administration of church institutions and assets, far from any tendency toward excess and corruption. During the retreat, the bishops present were able to share their doubts and concerns, which sometimes weigh on them, and to dedicate themselves with renewed zeal to the mission of proclaiming the Gospel in their respective contexts.

AFRICA/DR CONGO - Divisions within the Wazalendo self-defense movement exacerbate insecurity

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:29:51 +0200

Kinshasa – A population caught between a rock and a hard place. This is how the inhabitants of the Lemera highlands/ Ruzizi plain, in South Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, live, subjected to violence and abuses by rival groups that exhibit similar behavior toward the civilian population.
On one side are the M23 military, supported by Rwandan forces; on the other, the Wazalendo militia, which emerged as self-defense groups in support of the regular Congolese army to halt the M23's advance, but which over time have also become a source of insecurity for the very communities they claim to protect.
The latest report by ACMEJ , a local human rights NGO, states that “the security situation is becoming catastrophic in the villages of Nyamutiri, Kibungu, Ndolera, Businga, and Kibanga, in the Lemera highlands/Ruzizi plain.” According to the document, sent to Fides News Agency, “there is a complete absence of political, administrative, and traditional authority, as is the case in much of the Lemera highlands.” The report adds that, while in “a small part of Lemera territory some soldiers from the M23 and their allies exert control, in most of the area power is in the hands of armed youths belonging to the Wazalendo.” Some of these fighters have reportedly broken away from the original movement, giving rise to armed gangs that extort the local population. According to the report, “according to concurring sources among local leaders and analysts, the defection of some young members of the Wazalendo is a further cause for concern in several villages in the central Lemera region. Various cases of abuse and human rights violations recorded in the mountainous and central areas could be attributed to this group of deserters.”
The insecurity has even led to the resurgence of new forms of local self-defense. “In some villages in the central Lemera region, armed youths have reorganized community protection structures with the aim of defending residents against nighttime attacks by unknown armed and masked individuals.”
According to the ACMEJ, the insecurity caused by Wazalendo deserters is welcomed by the M23 guerrillas. The report states that M23 soldiers and their Rwandan allies in areas such as Rbanga, Lemera, and Mulenge “have become mere observers of these acts of banditry, thinking: ‘Let them kill each other among their own brothers and parents; we’re still here, and as long as they don’t attack us, there’s no problem, we’ll continue to control the situation by dividing them.’”

ASIA/SRI LANKA - Easter Sunday massacre, Cardinal Ranjith: "We are closer to the truth, but obstacles still exist"

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:04:37 +0200

Colombo – "The current Sri Lankan government, which took office in 2024, has a more positive stance regarding the Easter Sunday massacre of April 2019 and is searching for the truth. However, some officials of the so-called 'deep state' are trying to obstruct the smooth conduct of the investigation," said the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, in a message marking the seventh anniversary of the massacre, in which seven suicide bombers blew themselves up in a church and hotel, killing 278 people.
“Today we ask all the faithful to pray for Sri Lanka. For seven years, we have worked tirelessly for interreligious peace and continue to pursue transparency and truth. There were indications that behind the attacks were not only religious fanatics, but also politicians who wanted to sow chaos and ethnic and religious unrest through violence. That is why we insisted on an independent investigation. Today we reiterate our request for support and prayers. Our people are suffering and need help,” the Cardinal said in a message sent to Fides.
In a commemorative address delivered today at St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade, near Colombo, the Cardinal described the entire incident and the steps taken in the investigation. In the packed church, he thanked the Buddhist leaders who “joined us in our constant call for calm, and thus we were able to prevent the outbreak of violence after these bombings.”
Regarding the political and social context underlying the attacks, he remarked: “The rule of law has been increasingly weakened by political interference and has become a slave of selfishness, political bankruptcy, and the rise of lies and crime.” “Since most of the victims were Catholics, and these attacks were carried out in our churches on our holiest day, Easter Sunday, seeking the truth behind these attacks is our fundamental right, both for the victims’ families and for the Church. Finding all those responsible for this murder and destruction is not only a right of the victims, but of all citizens of this country, and it is the government’s duty to deliver justice to us in a fair and transparent manner.” “No one is above the law and should go unpunished if they are guilty of the act,” he recalled.
On October 6, 2024, during a visit to St. Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake promised "not to let the truth behind these attacks be lost to the sands of time." Therefore, the Cardinal said, "we urge him to keep this promise by conducting a comprehensive, transparent, and truthful investigation into these murders and courageously bring to light the truth behind this brutal massacre." "Today we draw strength from our faith. Justice belongs to the Lord. The blood shed is that of innocent men, women, and children, and it cries out to heaven for justice. We know that the Lord will answer this prayer. He will grant us justice. Until then, we will continue our struggle," the Archbishop of Colombo concluded.

ASIA/UZBEKISTAN - The Bishops of Central Asia express “firm support” for Pope Leo XIV and elect Cardinal Marengo as President of the Bishops' conference

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:33:09 +0200

Tashkent – The bishops of the Central Asian countries, who gathered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from April 15 to 19 for the Fifth Plenary Assembly of the Central Asian Bishops' Conference, reaffirmed their support for Pope Leo XIV in “his peacemaking efforts and pastoral ministry, exercised toward the flock entrusted to him and toward all those who suffer from wars and injustice.” At the beginning of their assembly, they thus expressed their solidarity with the Bishop of Rome following the verbal attacks by US President Donald Trump. According to a statement released at the end of the meeting, the participants offered “fervent prayers to the Lord for the gift of peace for all humanity.”

The meeting was attended by the bishops and ordinaries of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, and Azerbaijan. At the beginning of the sessions, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, His Excellency Archbishop George Panamthundil, was present and shared his remarks. The Apostolic Nuncio to Uzbekistan and Russia, His Excellency Archbishop Giovanni D’Aniello, sent a message to the participants of the assembly.

On April 17, 2026, elections for the governing bodies of the Conference were held. Cardinal Giorgio Marengo was elected President of the Conference, Bishop José Luis Mumbiela Sierra as Vice President, and Bishop Yevgeniy Zinkovskiy as Secretary General.
During the plenary sessions, the bishops, in a spirit of fraternal communion, exchanged experiences of pastoral ministry, discussed the current challenges faced by the local Churches, and “shared the joys and hopes of the faithful, supporting one another in unity and responsibility for the mission entrusted to them.”

On April 18 in Tashkent, the Catholic ordinaries of Central Asia visited the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan. This visit became a significant sign of openness, mutual respect, and a commitment to fostering interreligious dialogue.
The ordinaries of Central Asia, as emphasized in their concluding statement, “call upon all the faithful to pray earnestly for peace for the peoples suffering from unjust wars, entrusting them to the special intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, and imploring the gift of a just and lasting peace for all.”

Pope Bergoglio and the 'Mysterium Lunae'

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:05:29 +0200

by Gianni Valente

Rome – The first anniversary of the end of Pope Francis's earthly life coincides with the current Bishop of Rome's ongoing and remarkable apostolic journey, surrounded by the People of God whom Bergoglio so dearly loved. With stops in four African countries, he has been, and continues to be, welcomed by small communities and festive crowds in lands where the Christian message arrived in apostolic times, as well as in others where communities have flourished thanks to the work of missionaries in recent centuries.

This coincidence, though fortuitous, serves to deepen our gratitude for the mystery of the Church's journey through history, as well as our grateful memory of the Successor of Peter, who left this world on April 21, 2025, Easter Monday, after having blessed the world the previous day, Easter Sunday, from the central Loggia of St. Peter's Basilica.

In the mystery of the Church, nothing happens by chance. Even from the most ordinary circumstances, glimmers of light and consolation can emerge. A year after his earthly death, as the smokescreen of detractors and self-serving praise that shrouded the various stages of his pontificate dissipates, historical distance allows us to recognize more clearly the features and nuances of the essential words that Pope Bergoglio left in the heart of the Church during his time as Bishop of Rome.

As Successor of Peter, Pope Bergoglio reminded us in countless ways that faith is not born from the human heart, but is a free gift from Christ, capable of attracting men and women of all times and conditions. He also reiterated that the Church does not live by itself, but solely by the grace of Christ. In his daily teaching, in homilies, catechesis, and documents, he described in detail this constitutive dependence on grace, which marks a kind of genetic imprint of the Church’s journey through history.

He also insisted that any form of ecclesial introversion or self-referentiality represents a pathology. Christ, he emphasized, can always redeem his Church from the temptation to withdraw into itself, from the old and new clericalisms that beset it, constantly drawing it to himself and renewing it with his forgiveness.

Already in his brief address to the General Congregations in 2013, before the Conclave that elected him Bishop of Rome, Bergoglio evoked the “Mysterium Lunae,” an expression especially dear to him: the idea, developed by the Greek and Latin Fathers, according to which the Church does not shine with its own light, but would be an opaque and dark body if Christ did not illuminate it with his grace, as the sun illuminates the moon.

Precisely because it belongs to Christ and not to itself, the Church is missionary. It cannot close in on itself, nor promote itself, nor proclaim itself. It can only refer to something other than itself. It can only refer to the grace and work of the Risen Christ, who gives life and illuminates it, like the sun to the moon.

Missionary conversion was the underlying theme of Pope Francis's pontificate.

The impetus and demand for a renewed missionary spirit became the constant heartbeat of his magisterium, the guiding thread of his Petrine ministry. A thread that continues today in the teaching of the current Successor of Peter, in continuity with Francis, beyond differences in emphasis or temperament and the sterile discussions about supposed “discontinuities” between pontificates. When he had already left for his first trip to Africa, Pope Leo XIV published a letter sent on April 12 to the Cardinals, reiterating the reflections of the January consistory on the missionary perspectives proposed by Francis in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. In it, the Pope emphasizes “the need to relaunch Evangelii Gaudium in order to honestly examine what has truly been received over the years and what remains unknown or unapplied.”

A year after the end of his earthly life, it becomes even more evident that Pope Francis’s pontificate, with its evangelical zeal, always pointed to something beyond himself. The “Mysterium Lunae” can also be applied, by analogy, to his own Christian journey and his Petrine ministry. From the beginning of his pontificate, Bergoglio affirmed that miracles were not performed by him, “a poor sinner whom Christ has looked upon,” a man who never hid his limitations and who chose not to reside in the Apostolic Palace not as a simple gesture of poverty, but, as he himself explained, for “psychological reasons,” preferring an environment of daily contact with other people. For years he repeated that Christianity does not conquer the world through human strategies, but by “delectatio,” as Saint Augustine said, or “by attraction,” as he also recalled, quoting Benedict XVI.
For a long time, some commentators focused exclusively on the figure of the Pope, on his personal traits, virtues, and limitations, separating him from the living body of the Church and turning him into an isolated figure, a star, or a political leader, thus generating a universal polarization.

To paraphrase an old Eastern proverb, when Pope Bergoglio pointed to the moon, fools looked only at Bergoglio, focusing on his qualities or errors. The people of God, on the other hand, following their “Sensus fidei,” looked at the moon to which he pointed. That is why they continue to hold Pope Francis in such high regard.

This dynamic continues today in a unique and unexpected way, even at his mortal remains. In the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Romans and pilgrims walk along the left aisle to pause in silence before his tomb. But they do not stop there: a few steps further they reach the Pauline Chapel to pray before the icon of Mary, “Salus Populi Romani,” before which Pope Francis paused in prayer 126 times during his Pontificate. Thus, the grateful memory of Pope Francis is not limited to his person, but rather envelops him in a single embrace of prayer alongside the supplications and thanksgivings addressed to the Marian image that was so dear to him, in the heart of Rome.

ASIA/LAOS - Two new Laotian priests, the first Redemptorists

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:21:23 +0200

Thakhek - The small Catholic community of Laos will celebrate the priestly ordination of two Redemptorist deacons on April 22 at St. Louis Cathedral in Thakhek, Khammouane Province: Father Peter Gnantina Phiakeo and Father Philip Nouy Kamhou . The celebration will be presided over by His Excellency Jean-Marie Vianney Prida Inthirath, Apostolic Vicar of Savannakhet-Khammouane. Representatives of the state authorities and other religious dignitaries have also been invited to the ordination ceremony and is of particular importance: Peter Gnantina Phiakeo and Philip Nouy will be the first native Laotian priests of the Redemptorist Order. The two future priests belong to the Redemptorist Province of Thailand, which announced the invitation on social media and expressed its “great joy at the gift of the two new priests,” who according to the provisions of their religious province, will be able to make a pastoral contribution to the Catholic community in Laos.
The gift of the two priests is also “a sign of the silent and steady growth of the Catholic Church in Laos,” where the religious offer assistance, especially in the pastoral care of populations in villages and remote areas, especially ethnic minorities such as the Hmong, and participates in social development projects.
Throughout Southeast Asia, Redemptorists dedicate themselves to serving the poorest and most vulnerable and ethnic minorities, contributing to the training of local parish personnel. The Redemptorists of the Province of Thailand also serve and care for people of Laotian origin and the Hmong ethnic group in the northeastern Thai province of Nan. Over time, a close relationship has developed with the Laotian people, characterized by understanding and solidarity. This has also led to vocations to religious life and the priesthood, as in the case of the two deacons who are now being ordained priests. The ordination and presence of new local priests represents "an important step towards a more stable presence within Laotian borders," while the local Church continues to prioritize the pastoral care of young Laotians who feel called to the priesthood, as the permanent presence of foreign missionaries or religious in the country is not permitted.
The Redemptorists have maintained close ties with Laos since the mid-20th century: Between the 1920s and 1940s, the religious began their missionary work in Southeast Asia and established communities in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Particularly from Thailand, the Redemptorists supported the small Laotian Catholic community and contributed to the formation of young men who felt called to religious life and the priesthood and entered the seminary. Nearly two centuries after the arrival of the Gospel, the Catholic Church in Laos, according to the 2025 Pontifical Yearbook, now numbers approximately 53,000 faithful and is divided into four Apostolic Vicariates: Vientiane, Thakhek, Pakse, and Luang Prabang. Each of these vicariates has small parishes and communities, some of which are scattered in the most remote villages. The Laotian Catholic community is served by about 30 diocesan priests and 26 religious priests and includes around 50 seminarians . A local female religious congregation and twelve international religious orders are active in the country, comprising a total of about 150 members.
A sign of the revival of the Catholic community and the special encouragement of new vocations to religious life was the priestly ordination of Sophone Vilavongsy, a priest of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, in Vientiane in 2005, after a long period of closure. This was the first priestly ordination of the Catholic Church in Laos since 1975, when the communist Pathet Lao movement seized power in the country. Since then, the communist government has restricted religious activities, ordered the expulsion of all foreign missionaries, and refused to grant the Catholic Church permission to conduct new priestly ordinations locally. The last priestly ordinations in Laos took place in 2018, when four new priests were ordained at St. Louis Cathedral in Takhek. Today, the Christian community in Laos represents about 1.5% of the population of approximately 7.5 million, the majority of whom are Buddhists.

AFRICA/ANGOLA - Pope Leo XIV warns against syncretism and superstition

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:06:23 +0200

Luanda – "We must always be vigilant regarding those forms of traditional religiosity that certainly belong to the roots of your culture, but at the same time risk confusing and mixing magical and superstitious elements that do not aid your spiritual journey," said Pope Leo XIV in his homily at Mass on Sunday, April 19, in Kilamba, Angola . "Remain faithful to what the Church teaches, trust your pastors, and keep your gaze fixed on Jesus, who reveals himself in the word and in the Eucharist," urged the Holy Father in a country, Angola, where there are forms of religious syncretism connected with "magical" elements practiced by Catholics as well.
Religious syncretism has existed in Angola since the early evangelization of the Kingdom of Kongo between the late 15th and early 16th centuries. At the beginning of the 18th century, Beatriz Kimpa Vita founded Antonianism, a movement that was both religious and political. Religiously, this was a syncretistic fusion of Christianity and African religious practices. Vita presented herself as the reincarnation of Saint Anthony of Padua and claimed that Jesus was Black and born in Congo. She sought to challenge the Eurocentric portrayal of Christianity and promote a more inclusive interpretation rooted in African culture. In doing so, she rejected some Catholic symbols and rituals , while integrating local rituals as well as elements of healing and prophecy beliefs. From a political perspective, Kimpa Vita aimed to unite the politically divided and fragmented Kingdom of Kongo, which had lost its former unity. Some characteristics of Antonianism can be found in both syncretic traditions of the Americas, such as Brazilian Candomblé and Cuban Palo, and in the Kimbanguist Church, which originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo but is also widespread in some parts of Angola .
The Tokoist Church, founded in the 1940s by Simão Gonçalves Toko , a former student of the Baptist Missionary Society, was of Angolan origin. It established itself in the late colonial period and the early years of the post-colonial era as a movement of resistance and spiritual emancipation. Furthermore, forms of superstition related to alleged "magical" practices persist, with significant social consequences. Particularly in some areas of Angola, children are accused of witchcraft. These are often exceptionally gifted children, leading many families to believe they are involved in witchcraft.

AFRICA/TOGO - The “Ahonhon Center,” an advanced center for the treatment of brain disorders, has been inaugurated by the Togolese Province of the Society of African Missions

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:54:02 +0200

Yokoè – In Togo, cognitive disorders continue to be treated somewhat superficially, despite their serious impact on the lives of patients and their families: loss of autonomy, social isolation, and loss of dignity. Faced with this reality, the Togolese Province of the Society of African Missions has promoted the creation of the “Ahonhon Center” neuropsychology clinic in Yokoè. Its name comes from Guingbe, a local language, and means “brain,” as Charles Ayetan, Communications Manager for the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar , explained to Fides. Located about fifteen kilometers from the center of Lomé, near the Little Sisters of the Holy Family Medical Center and the parish of St. John the Baptist, the center is part of a broader effort to strengthen specialized care in West Africa.

“Initially, the goal was to support teenagers in difficulty, whether due to family conflicts or problems at home,” Father Fabien Sognon, the first Provincial Superior of the SMA in Togo, explained to Fides. “Over time, the project evolved. Faced with growing needs, the center decided to focus on brain health. Today, it treats cognitive disorders at all ages, including memory, attention, and concentration problems in students, as well as age-related cognitive deficits such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. It also offers support to people whose cognitive functions have been affected by head injuries or strokes.”

The mission of the Ahonhon Center is “to care for the person in their deepest sense: their brain, their intelligence, their memory, their identity, and their humanity,” declared its director, Father Jean-Paul Lawson. “The center’s originality lies in its integrated approach, which combines clinical care, rehabilitation, and research. This holistic vision emphasizes a deep understanding of brain function and interventions based on scientific evidence, taking into account local cultural contexts,” explains Fr. Lawson.

The Center seeks to offer a concrete response to the lack of care in the country for cognitive disorders and was inaugurated on April 11 by the Apostolic Nuncio to Togo and Benin, Archbishop Rubén Darío Ruiz Mainardi, who thanked the SMA Fathers of Togo for this initiative. He was accompanied by the current SMA Provincial of Togo, Father Jean-Paul Kpatcha, other SMA Fathers, the NDA nuns, and the Little Sisters of the Holy Family, partners and friends of the project, as well as the artisans and workers who contributed to the building's construction.

Beyond its healthcare mission, the Ahonhon Center is part of a pastoral initiative linked to the "Methuselah Project," dedicated to the elderly. Within this framework, the Methuselah House, adjacent to the center, offers an environment that combines spiritual accompaniment, human support, and therapeutic care, with the aim of combating the social isolation of older adults and valuing their role in society.

With this inauguration, the Church and the SMA Province of Togo reaffirm their commitment to healthcare, especially in a still underdeveloped sector such as brain health, at the service to human dignity and the well-being of the population.

AFRICA/ANGOLA - “Being like children”: The Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood and its projects for an “Angolan and missionary” Church

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:43:16 +0200

Luanda – Benguela and Ndalatando. Two of the projects for children supported by the Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood are located in these dioceses. Father José Diego Jerónimo Zola, Secretary of POSI in Angola, whose connection with the Pontifical Mission Societies dates back to his seminary days, describes to Fides the realities and desires that animate the widespread presence of the Holy Childhood throughout the country, in both large cities and small towns. This reveals the face of a Church, an ecclesial community, that finds comfort and encouragement in supporting and accompanying children and adolescents who frequently experience poverty, school dropout, and abuse.

The Society of Missionary Childhood seeks to accompany children, adolescents, and their educators on their journey of faith, fostering missionary sensibility in them, supporting them in the spirit of solidarity with their peers, and promoting national gatherings to share the diverse realities of this vast country. These are some of POSI's objectives, which are also pursued through projects aimed at protecting children in collaboration with the government and other institutions, as well as through the construction of schools.

In Benguela, last March, the foundation stone was laid for a school entrusted to the Sisters of Our Lady of La Salette , intended to prevent children and adolescents from dropping out of school and who, otherwise, would not have the opportunity to access education and, therefore, to build their future. Father Zola shares the joy and gratitude for the many children he has seen grow up in schools also supported by POSI, many of whom are now doctors, teachers, or engineers, and who never forget their experience in Missionary Childhood. “What I love most,” he confesses to Fides News Agency, “is being with children, being among children, being for children, and also being like children,” hoping that the growing number of children and teenagers will contribute to the flourishing of an Angolan and missionary Church.

“The other project I want to mention,” Father José Diego Jerónimo continues, “is the one that has emerged in the recently built parish of Saint Teresa of Ávila in Ndalatando. Its objective is the construction of classrooms for catechesis, thus creating a dignified and welcoming space to transmit Christian education to children and teenagers.” Father Zola also recounts that many children and teenagers begin participating in the activities and catechesis of POSI without being baptized, thus beginning their journey in the faith of the Apostles, a process that leads them to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.

“The Pope, who is visiting our country these days,” concludes the secretary of the Angolan POSI, “embraces and blesses our children and adolescents with his apostolic journey. We want to hear his words of peace, reconciliation, and social justice; we want to be ‘uplifted’ by his words of hope.”

LEO XIV IN AFRICA - The Pope to the Angolans: The Risen Jesus can also heal the wounds of your people

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:32:16 +0200

Luanda - Even in Angola, a ‘beautiful yet wounded’ country, the encounter with the Risen Christ “who walks beside us” can grant us the grace to “afresh and rebuild the future”. In Kilamba, a suburb of Luanda, the Angolan capital where he arrived yesterday afternoon, Leo XIV celebrated Mass today, 19 April, on the Third Sunday of Easter before a crowd of 100,000 people. A crowd vibrant with expectation and affection, gathered from the early hours of the day on the esplanade in front of the temporary structure where the altar was set up, to listen to the words of the Successor of Peter.
In his homily, the Bishop of Rome reminded everyone that even the healing of the wounds and sufferings experienced by the Angolan people in the recent chapter of their history can come as a gift and a miracle from the Risen Lord. He does so in the light of the Gospel of the day, which tells of the two disciples walking towards Emmaus “with broken and sad hearts”, after having seen “the death of Jesus, whom they had faithfully followed”.
“Their story,” suggests Pope Leo, “reflects in some way the history of Angola, a country marked by a long civil war with its aftermath of enmities and divisions, of squandered resources and poverty.”
The wound in the hearts of the disciples of Emmaus is healed when they recognize that their mysterious travelling companion is Jesus himself: “He is alive, he has risen, and he walks beside us as we journey along the path of suffering and bitterness, opening our eyes so that we may recognize his work and granting us the grace to start afresh and rebuild the future”. The same experience – the Pontiff suggested – that everyone is called to share, experiencing the Lord’s companionship “in prayer, in listening to his word that sets our hearts ablaze like it did to the hearts of the two disciples, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist.”
“For this reason,” urged Pope Prevost, “we must always be vigilant regarding those forms of traditional religiosity that certainly belong to the roots of your culture, but at the same time risk confusing and mixing magical and superstitious elements that do not aid your spiritual journey. Remain faithful to what the Church teaches, trust your pastors, and keep your gaze fixed on Jesus, who reveals himself in the word and in the Eucharist. In both we experience that the risen Lord walks beside us and, united to him, we too overcome the “deaths” that besiege us and live as those who have “risen.”

Angola’s history, including its recent past, and the conditions in the country, marked by “various forms of poverty”, said the Pontiff, “call for the presence of a Church that knows how to walk alongside you and how to heed the cry of its children”. Angola needs “bishops, priests, missionaries, men and women religious, and lay people who carry in their hearts the desire to “break” their own lives and give them to others, to commit themselves to mutual love and forgiveness, to build spaces of fraternity and peace, and to perform acts of compassion and solidarity towards those most in need. Through the grace of the risen Christ, we can become like this broken bread that transforms reality. Just as the Eucharist reminds us that we are one body and one spirit, united to the one Lord, so it is possible to build together a country where old divisions are overcome once and for all, where hatred and violence disappear, and where the scourge of corruption is healed by a new culture of justice and sharing. Only in this way will a promising future be possible, especially for the many young people who have lost hope.” On this journey – assured Leo XIV, concluding his homily – “you can count on the Pope’s closeness and prayers! But I too know I can count on you, and I thank you.”
At the conclusion of the Eucharistic liturgy, after listening to the words of thanks addressed to him by the Archbishop of Luanda, Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias, and before joining the crowd in reciting the Marian prayer of the Regina Caeli, the Pope also turned his gaze and thoughts to the conflicts afflicting other peoples and other parts of the world. Pope Prevost is saddened by “the recent escalation of attacks against Ukraine, which continue to afflict civilians as well.” He expressed his closeness “with those who are suffering.” and assured his prayers “to all the Ukrainian people.” He reiterated “the call for weapons to fall silent and for the path of dialogue to be pursued.”Then, referring to the conflicts in the Middle East, he added that the ceasefire announced in Lebanon “offers cause for hope, it represents a glimmer of relief for the Lebanese people and for the Levant. I encourage those who are working toward a diplomatic solution to continue peace talks, so that the cessation of hostilities throughout the Middle East may become permanent.”

ASIA/HONG KONG - Diocese celebrates 80th anniversary: Mission and charitable service to the most vulnerable

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 08:31:34 +0200

Hong Kong – “Eighty years ago, on this very day, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the elevation of Hong Kong from an Apostolic Vicariate to the rank of a diocese.
We are grateful for the selfless dedication of so many of our predecessors who, through the proclamation of the Gospel, the liturgy, community involvement, education, and the promotion of schools, brought the love of Christ to this land,” said the Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, at the celebratory Mass marking the 80th anniversary of the diocese’s founding on April 11, 1946. The Jesuit Cardinal also commemorated all the bishops who have served in the diocese, dedicating themselves to building the local Church, reaffirming that the Church in Hong Kong remains committed to continuing the missionary tradition and serving the most vulnerable.
As reported by the diocesan weekly newspaper "KungKaoPo," the Liturgy was presided over by Cardinal Chow and concelebrated by the diocesan bishops emeritus, Cardinal Joseph Zen and Cardinal John Tong, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, and 130 priests, in the presence of over a thousand faithful and nuns. During the liturgy, prayers were also recited before the tomb of the first Apostolic Prefect of Hong Kong, Theodore Joset , and the tombs of several bishops buried in the cathedral. A solemn procession paused before the Grotto of Our Lady to give thanks to Mary on behalf of the entire diocesan community.

In his homily, Cardinal Chow recounted the history of the Hong Kong community, which had been an Apostolic Prefecture since April 22, 1841. For 185 years, the Catholic Church had provided invaluable services in healthcare, education, and charitable work. On April 11, 1946, with the establishment of the Catholic hierarchy in China, the Apostolic Vicariate of Hong Kong was finally elevated to a diocese.

"The Church of Hong Kong," Cardinal Chow remarked, "has always stood up for the most vulnerable. And in the future, it will continue to preserve the legacy of the past and pass it on to the future, forming a bridge and a synodal path for the universal Church and the Church on the Chinese mainland."
Hong Kong's youth also contributed to the celebration of the Mass, which was followed by a concert entitled "Youth on Stage." The Catholic Church in Hong Kong was founded in 1841 as an Apostolic Prefecture, elevated to the rank of an Apostolic Vicariate in 1874, and finally to the rank of a diocese in 1946. Hong Kong has approximately 392,000 Catholics, 268 priests, 49 brothers, and 404 nuns. There are a total of 52 parishes with 39 churches, 30 chapels, and 26 halls for services in Cantonese; three-fifths of the parishes also offer services in English and, in some cases, in Tagalog, the Philippine language. In its apostolic work, the diocese always strives to serve the entire community, beginning with the most vulnerable. The diocese operates 249 Catholic schools and preschools with approximately 134,824 students. Medical and social services are provided by at least six hospitals, ten clinics, 46 social and family centers, 17 guesthouses, 15 nursing homes, 33 rehabilitation centers, and numerous self-help groups and associations. Caritas Hong Kong is the official aid organization of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. These services are available to all residents of the diocese, and approximately 95% of service recipients are not Catholic.