Vatican & World News

- Pope Francis highlights the role of the Holy Spirit as a source of communion, harmony, and fraternity - The International Theological Commission publishes a reflection on the Council of Nicea - The Bishops of Burundi and Rwanda call for peace as violence in Africa’s Great Lakes region escalates

- The Vatican marks 20 years since the death of Pope St John Paul II - A frontline Caritas worker in Sudan says that the situation has developed into the world’s worst humanitarian crisis - Vatican Radio’s website launches an Azerbaijani language page, bringing the total number of language editions up to 56

- Pope Francis clears the path for the canonization of three new saints. - Violence continues to rage on in Sudan as the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces pledges to retake the capital. - Gaza faces worsening devastation as Israeli military operations continue.

- Pope Francis prays for victims of a massive earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday - Christians in South Sudan are expressing deep concern as escalating violence threatens a new civil war - Cardinal Pietro Parolin calls for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and Gaza

- Pope Francis continues his convalescence at Casa Santa Marta and concelebrates Mass in one of its little chapels - In a message, he encourages the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in its work, noting that its mission goes far beyond the application of protocols - Over 270 children are amongst the victims of Israeli attacks on Gaza in the past week

- In the wake of Pope Francis’ words of appreciation for a draft peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia we look at the terms of the draft deal over the disputed northern Karabakh region - Egypt proposes a new ceasefire plan for Gaza - A Vatican Longevity Summit shines the light on an ageing world population and on the need to find ways to ensure a good quality of life for the elderly that is equally accessible to all

- Pope Francis gives his first 'in-person' greeting and blessing from the balcony of the Gemelli Hospital where he has been treated for pneumonia since mid-February before being discharged and sent back to Casa Santa Marta to recover and fully heal - He appeals for a stop to the bombing in the Gaza Strip as the death toll surpasses 50,000 - He also asks for prayers for the suffering people in war-torn countries across the world and for the commitment to undertake the path of dialogue

- The Sudanese army has recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum - Christian churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo advocate for reconciliation and regional stability - The vast Church in Polynesia celebrates the Jubilee

- Pope Francis’ recovery continues, with his doctors saying he no longer requires mechanical ventilation at night - The Vatican’s central office for Church statistics releases its annual report, which shows that numbers of Catholics worldwide have increased, while the number of pastoral ministers continues to decline - As the United States carries out fresh airstrikes in Yemen, the region’s apostolic vicar warns of disastrous consequences for the civilian population

In the headlines this Tuesday the 19th of March: - Six bodies are recovered and forty people are missing after a boat carrying migrants capsizes off the coast of Lampedusa, - We look at the situation of Christians in Syria and their role in achieving peace in the country, but first, - The United Nations says that two of its workers were killed and others injured after a compound in Gaza was damaged.