The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which has been held annually since 1908, will take place this year from 18 to 25 January 2019.

People are facing severe shortages of clean drinking water, food and medical assistance. The disaster zone has a population of 1.4 million people, with around 70,000 already gathered in crowded evacuation sites.

18-year-old suspect had been sitting in a pew during a crowded Sunday Mass when he suddenly got up and ran towards the altar.

The Church has provided great spiritual, human and material support to the people making a decisive contribution towards Timor Leste’s process of liberation.

“A new wave of boat people, ejected by excruciating poverty and conflict from both Myanmar and Bangladesh, are adrift in the seas.”

On the feast of the Holy Family, Pontiff urges all to pray for families facing difficulties and who lack unity.