Category: English

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Phhoto. FABC

Jakarta (Fides News Agency) – Pope Leo XIV has urged the Churches of Asia to recognize that ecclesial communion “finds its source in the mystery of Christ” and encouraged them to “continue to promote a Eucharistic spirituality within your local Churches.” Pope Leo XIV delivered simple and direct exhortations in a video message to the bishops and other delegates participating in the XII Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), gathered in Jakarta since Monday, July 20, “to discuss,” as the Pontiff himself emphasized, “the important issues affecting the life and future of the Catholic Church in Asia.”In the message, delivered in a video address shown on the afternoon of Saturday, July 25 at the Vanda Room of Hotel Mulia, the Pope recalled that the theme chosen for their Assembly comes from Jesus telling Nathanael in the Gospel of John: “You will see greater things than these.”In calling Philip and Nathanael to follow him and become his disciples, the Pope said that “the Lord alludes to himself as the unique mediator between God and humanity.”Addressing the Assembly, the Bishop of Rome continued: “As His disciples today, we know that Jesus is not only the source of our communion with God, but also with one another.” Quoting the Encyclical Magnifica humanitas, he stressed that Christian solidarity “finds its source in the mystery of Christ and emerges from our communion in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.” For this reason, he added, “I would like to encourage you to continue to promote a Eucharistic spirituality within your local Churches, that is, a spirituality of ecclesial unity grounded in the charity that flows from the gift of our Lord in the Eucharist.”Pope Leo expressed the hope that “the bonds of communion within and between the local Churches will be strengthened and become an ever greater sign of God’s presence in your various countries, which in turn will help you be bridge-builders together throughout Asia.”Concluding his video message, and before imparting his blessing, the Pope entrusted the Assembly participants and their deliberations “to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church,” invoking upon them “the Lord’s gifts of wisdom and fortitude.” (GV) (Fides News Agency, 25/7/2026)
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Source: The Holy See

Video Message of the Holy Father on the occasion of the Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), 25.07.2026
The following is the text of the Video Message sent by the Holy Father Leo XIV to bishops and members of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), on the occasion of the Plenary Assembly taking place from 20 to 26 July 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia:

Video Message of the Holy Father
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I send cordial greetings to all of you participating in the Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences in Jakarta. As you gather to discuss the important issues affecting the life and future of the Catholic Church in Asia, I assure you of my spiritual closeness, praying that the Holy Spirit will inspire and guide your time together.
The theme chosen for your Plenary Assembly comes from the words of Jesus telling Nathanael: “You will see greater things” (Jn 1:50). In calling Philip and Nathanael to follow him and become his disciples, our Lord alludes to himself as the unique mediator between God and humanity (cf. Jn 1:51). 
As his disciples today, we know that Jesus is not only the source of our communion with God, but also with one another. Indeed, in the recently published Encyclical Letter, Magnifica Humanitas, I wrote that Christian solidarity finds its source in the mystery of Christ and emerges from our communion in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist (cf. n. 88). For this reason, I would like to encourage you to continue to promote a Eucharistic spirituality within your local Churches, that is, a spirituality of ecclesial unity grounded in the charity that flows from the gift of our Lord in the Eucharist. In this way, it is my hope that the bonds of communion within and between the local Churches will be strengthened and become an ever greater sign of God’s presence in your various countries, which in turn will help you be bridge-builders together throughout Asia.
Dear friends, in commending all of you and your deliberations to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, I gladly invoke upon you the Lord’s gifts of wisdom and fortitude.
And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit come down on you and remain with you for ever. Amen.

Source: European Union 2

24 July 2026

European Commission Daily news Brussels, 24 Jul 2026 Commission preliminary finds TikTok in breach of Digital Services Act for failing to ensure safe accounts for minors Today, the European Commission sent TikTok…

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Friday, 24 July 2026

Kinshasa (Fides News Agency) – As the national dialogue launched by President Félix Tshisekedi continues (see Fides, 23/7/2026), one of the central issues remains the persistent insecurity in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the provinces of North and South Kivu, where numerous armed groups continue to operate. The most significant among them is the M23 movement, which has taken control of large areas of both provinces.The M23 receives support from Rwanda, which justifies its presence in the region as a defensive measure against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed Rwandan group founded more than three decades ago by former Hutu fighters linked to the 1994 genocide.To address the FDLR issue, the Congolese government committed itself—first within the framework of the Luanda Process and later under the Washington agreements signed in 2025 with the mediation of the United States and Qatar (see Fides, 27/6/2025)—to their “irreversible and verifiable neutralization,” in parallel with Rwanda’s disengagement and the opening of negotiations with the M23.However, no effective neutralization of the FDLR has yet taken place. The mid-July deadline set for achieving significant progress passed without any substantial developments on the ground.Faced with this impasse, President Félix Tshisekedi’s government appears to be placing increasing emphasis on the diplomatic track, promoting an alternative approach: a memorandum of understanding on the demobilization of the FDLR, presented to international partners as a practical path forward.The strategy was outlined by the Minister for Regional Integration Floribert Anzuluni, who in mid-July embarked on an intensive diplomatic mission that took him to Uganda, Togo, Burundi, Tanzania, Brussels on July 20, and Paris on July 21–22. The objective was to present the proposed demobilization protocol and secure the international support needed for its implementation.In the background remains the Trump administration’s strategic interest in ending instability in eastern DR Congo in order to facilitate large-scale exploitation of the region’s vast reserves of strategic minerals, regarded as essential for the United States’ high-technology and defense industries.Against this backdrop, Washington is expected to increase pressure on the Rwandan government, which has maintained significant influence in eastern Congo for more than three decades. It is within this context that the appointment of the new U.S. ambassador to Kigali should be understood: rather than a career diplomat, the administration has chosen a former CIA official with extensive experience in conflict zones, considered well equipped to navigate the complex dynamics and strategies of the region’s many actors.(L.M.) (Fides News Agency, 24/7/2026)
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Source: European Union 2

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Source: EuroStat – European Statistics

European Commission Press release Brussels, 24 Jul 2026 The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the draft of new Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring non-financial undertakings in difficulty (‘Rescue and Restructuring Guidelines’). The new version will align the existing Guidelines with current social, market and technological conditions. The Commission invites Member States and all other interested parties to comment on the draft by 4 September 2026.

Source: European Parliament

Against the backdrop of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the rapid battlefield adaptation that it has led to, defence innovation and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are being seen as key contributors to Europe’s industrial preparedness, production scalability and security of supply. To this end, recent European Union (EU) policy and financial initiatives have specifically targeted SMEs in the defence sector, to address the financial, regulatory and industrial bottlenecks facing SMEs in Europe. However, SMEs still face considerable challenges and barriers. This Study examines the evolving role of SMEs within the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB). It specifically analyses the persistent barriers preventing SMEs from entering the defence market in Europe, and, once present, from scaling their innovation, services and products. The Study argues that, despite the growing political recognition of SMEs as sources of technological and disruptive innovation, SMEs still face considerable financial, regulatory and political barriers to access the EDTIB.

Source: European Parliament

In June 2025, the European Commission published its proposal for the Global Europe Instrument – the principal financial instrument for external actions under the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. The proposal foresees possibilities to restrict access to procurement under the instrument, provide direct support to European private companies and support to EU Member States’ Export Credit Agencies. The workshop provided analysis of these issues from the perspective of development cooperation. Analysing the consequences of the proposed provisions from the perspective of tied aid and aid effectiveness, the workshop outlined opportunities and challenges of the current proposal for EU development cooperation. The workshop featured the presentation of preliminary findings of two papers for the DEVE committee on ‘Eligibility restrictions and strategic procurement: Could European preference in the Global Europe proposal lead to tied aid?’ and ‘European preference and competitiveness in the Global Europe proposal: opportunities and challenges for development effectiveness’.

Source: European Parliament

***II
POSITION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
adopted at second reading on 9 July 2026 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2026/… of the European parliament and of the Council on a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Directive 2002/58/EC as regards the use of technologies by providers of number-independent interpersonal communications services for the processing of personal and other data for the purpose of combating online child sexual abuse
(EP-PE_TC2-COD(2025)0429)

Source : © European Union, 2026 – EP

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

Friday, 24 July 2026

MM

Pourcine Pic Makaya (Fides News Agency) – It is a project set to make a tangible difference in the daily lives of the local population.”Just two days ago, we began work to extend the village water system by about one kilometre down into the valley,” Father Massimo Miraglio, MI, parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in the small Catholic community of Pourcine Pic Makaya, told Fides.”The spring located higher up the mountain provides enough water to supply two new distribution points, making it possible to serve three additional hamlets near the plateau where Pourcine is located. For many families, this will mean a real improvement in everyday life: children and young people, who are usually responsible for carrying water for their households, will have much shorter distances to walk and a far lighter burden,” the Camillian missionary explained.Pourcine Pic Makaya is located in the mountainous hinterland of the Grand’Anse department, near Jérémie, about 290 kilometers from Port-au-Prince. Several local residents have been hired to carry out the excavation work needed for the extension.”We are confident that the project will be completed within the next few weeks. The new water points will not only make access to safe drinking water easier, but will also help prevent many diseases linked to the use of contaminated water,” Father Miraglio added.Healthcare remains one of Haiti’s most fragile sectors. A significant sign of hope came on July 14 with the inauguration of the new St. Camillus Hospital in Jérémie, created to provide essential healthcare services to the local population (see Fides, 15/7/2026).These initiatives take place against the backdrop of a country still gripped by a profound national crisis. Headlines continue to focus on gang violence, political instability, and migration, while severe humanitarian emergencies, including internal displacement, hunger, and the increasing vulnerability of women and children, remain unresolved.On the migration front, Haitians have obtained a temporary extension of their Temporary Protected Status (TPS), whose expiration had been expected around July 24. In the United States, however, deportation orders have increased, particularly in cities such as New York, while weekly repatriation flights for Haitian citizens have been scheduled.Meanwhile, armed gangs continue to expand their control over large areas of the country, with some regions now being described as “death zones.” In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Multinational Security Support Mission, backed by the United Nations, has requested a two-year extension of its mandate to continue operations against armed criminal groups.According to the latest figures published in the 2024 Pontifical Yearbook, the Diocese of Jérémie, which includes the Catholic community of Pourcine Pic Makaya, covers an area of 1,912 km². and has a population of approximately 550,000. Out of the 375,000 Catholics, 3,935 are baptized.Furthermore, the diocese has 63 parishes or quasi-parishes, 93 secular priests resident in the diocese, 5 diocesan priests ordained during the year, 5 regular priests resident in the diocese, 28 seminarians studying philosophy and theology, 18 members of male religious orders, 60 members of female religious orders, 145 educational institutions and 31 charitable institutions.(AP) (Fides News Agency, 24/7/2026)

MM

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