Ostpolitik refers to the Vatican’s non-confrontational overtures to Eastern Europe’s Communist regimes, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s.

“The peace we are looking for is not the peace of cemeteries, nor that of subjugated slaves,” said the bishop who serves as spokesman for Church-brokered talks between the government and opposition in Nicaragua. Daniel Ortega—the leftist Sandinista leader who overthrew the Somoza regime in 1979, and subsequently led Nicaragua from 1979-1990, and again since 2007—now faces significant student protests against his own repressive regime.

Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi has asked Catholics to pray and fast on Fridays until next spring’s elections. “We are witnessing a turbulent political atmosphere which poses a threat to the democratic principles enshrined in our constitution and the secular fabric of our nation,” he said.

The North African nation of 41 million is 99% Muslim (predominantly Sunni).

At the conclusion of the Pope’s meetings with Chilean bishops last week, the Vatican released a brief letter to Chile’s bishops. Il Sismografo—whose editorial director is a Chilean journalist who once worked for Vatican Radio—has published what purports to be the full text of a May 15 letter from the Pope to Chile’s bishops. In footnote 25, Pope Francis reportedly referred to “serious accusations against some bishops or superiors who are believed to have entrusted these educational institutions to priests suspected of active homosexuality.”

The World Meeting of Families will take place in Dublin from August 21 to 26.

Pope Francis has named Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Sweden as his representative to the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Buckfast Abbey in Devon, England.

The Good Friday Agreement (April 10, 1998), approved in a May 1998 referendum, was a milestone in the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Pope Francis appointed an apostolic administrator for a Melkite eparchy (diocese) in Brazil.

“Regional and European leaders should strongly press the Maduro government to allow independent figures, including Catholic Church representatives, to visit intelligence services detainees,” Human Rights Watch stated. “Detainees, who include many political prisoners, told relatives they were barricading themselves in a section of cellblocks and requesting mediation by independent figures, including the Catholic Church.”

Patriarch Irinej, 87, has led the Serbian Orthodox Church since 2010. In addition to criticizing “Uniates” (Eastern Catholics), he strongly criticized Ukrainian Orthodox Christians who are not in communion with the Moscow Patriarchate.

“Every day, all of us have to read and listen to the Word of God, as well as pray for the missionary work of our Church,” said Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk. “St. John Paul II used to say: if [the] Church ceases being a missionary one ... then [the] Church stops being a Church.”

L’Osservatore Romano (5/24 Italian edition) devoted prominent front-page coverage to this story.

“China is reluctant to sign an agreement with the Holy See on the selection and appointment of Catholic bishops,” said Father Bernardo Cervellera, editor of AsiaNews. “I do not consider this agreement as positive for the Church, because the regime would select the candidates. However, some in China regard it as dangerous for the government too ... The optimism transmitted to the media was part of a Vatican campaign aimed at persuading the Chinese side to sign the agreement.”

Connecting terrorism with Islam is “a foolish lie,” Pope Francis said in an interview with an Italian newspaper.

The wife of a former Honduran ambassador to the Holy See tells the National Catholic Register that Cardinal Oscar Maradiaga steered her toward a financial adviser who took all her life savings. Cardinal Maradiaga, who already faces charges of financial misconduct, is chairman of the Council of Cardinals advising Pope Francis.

An official at Providence College has obtained a restraining order to bar Michael Smalanskas, a recent graduate, from the Rhode Island campus. Smalanskas, who received threats after posting messages defending traditional marriage, had complained that the Catholic school failed to protect him—and in fact encouraged hostility. Kristine Goodwin, the vice president, of student affairs, said that Smalanskas himself was a threat, reporting that he “glared at me.”

From April 11 to May 16, Pope Francis devoted his weekly general audiences to the Sacrament of Baptism. The theme of the Pope’s first address on Confirmation was Christian witness.

“Dearest disciples of the Lord in China, the universal Church prays with you and for you, so that even amid difficulties you may continue to entrust yourselves to the will of God,” the Pope said at his May 23 general audience. “The help of Our Lady will not be lacking, and she will protect you with her mother’s love.” The Pope also told pilgrims, “I pray to the Lord ceaselessly that He may heal the wounds inflicted by war and bestow His peace upon the dear Ukrainian land.”