Latest Asia News
A review of some of Pope Francis' most memorable quotes over his papacy
On Friday, flying back to Rome from a lengthy trip to Asia, Pope Francis criticized both U.S. presidential candidates for what he called anti-life policies on abortion and migration. He advised American Catholics to choose who they think is the “lesser evil” in the upcoming U.S. elections. ...
Pope slams both Harris and Trump as 'against life' and urges Catholics to vote for 'lesser evil'
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis on Friday slammed both U.S. presidential candidates for what he called anti-life policies on abortion and migration, and he advised American Catholics to choose who they think is the “lesser evil” in the upcoming U.S. elections. ...
Pope says sex abuse is ‘demonic’ as he weighs in on new scandal in French church
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis called sexual abuse “demonic” on Friday as he weighed in on the latest sex assault revelations against a legendary French priest, Abbe Pierre, who devoted his life to advocating for the homeless. Abbé Pierre, who died in 2007, was one...
Pope makes new overture to China, calling Beijing ‘a promise and hope’ for the church
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis declared Friday that China was “a promise and a hope” for the Catholic Church, offering extensive praise for Beijing at the end of a four-nation tour through Asia and again expressed hope to one day visit. Francis’ comments, during...
Pope ends Asia trip with same message at the start: Interfaith tolerance to heal troubled world
SINGAPORE (AP) — Pope Francis wrapped up his visit to Singapore on Friday by praising its tradition of interfaith harmony, closing out his four-nation trip through Asia with the same message of tolerance that he delivered at the start. Francis presided over a gathering of young...
Pope urges church in Papua New Guinea to be close to women after hearing of sorcery 'superstitions'
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (AP) — Pope Francis called Saturday for the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea to be particularly close to women who have been abused and marginalized, speaking out in a country where violence against women is reported to be more than twice the global average. ...
Pope and imam of Southeast Asia's largest mosque make joint call to fight violence, protect planet
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Pope Francis and the grand imam of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque vowed Thursday to fight religiously inspired violence and protect the environment, issuing a joint call for interfaith friendship and common cause at the heart of Francis’ visit to Indonesia. ...
The AP Interview: East Timor's president says the pope's visit isn't time to dwell on past sins
DILI, East Timor (AP) — The president of East Timor sees Pope Francis' upcoming visit as a prime opportunity to promote Asia's youngest country on the world stage, not a time to confront the legacy of abuse by influential members of the clergy in the deeply Catholic nation. During...
AP PHOTOS: Pope Francis' Asia trip marks 60 years of papal visits to the region
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — Pope Francis' visit to Southeast Asia, the longest trip in his papacy, is the latest in decades of regular papal visits to the Asia-Pacific region. Papal travel is a thing of the modern era, starting with Pope Paul VI, who became the first pontiff to leave...
East Timor celebrates 25th anniversary of UN-backed vote for independence
DILI, East Timor (AP) — East Timor on Friday celebrated the 25th anniversary of a U.N.-backed referendum that secured its independence from its major neighbor Indonesia, which invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975. Crowds cheered as their leaders and state guests, including...
