Filipino climate advocates unveiled a 25-meter mural in Belém, Brazil, as the COP30 conference concluded. The artwork, created by A.G. Saño, Bro. Tagoy Jakosalem, and Yeb Saño, connects ecological struggles in the Amazon with those in the Philippines. It features Pope Francis, threatened species, and environmental defenders like Jonet Abdon and Sister Cleusa Coelho. The group states the piece highlights shared injustices faced by frontline communities in the Global South. By bridging Brazilian and Filipino imagery, the artists aim to demonstrate global solidarity among those resisting land and ocean exploitation. The mural serves as a visual testament to the cry of the earth and the poor, extending beyond the negotiation spaces of the summit.
Bishop César Essayan, the Apostolic Vicar for Latin Rite Catholics in Lebanon, stated that Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming trip is a vital moral intervention for the nation. According to the bishop, the visit aims to provide consolation and awaken conscience amid Lebanon’s prolonged political and economic crisis. The itinerary includes prayers at Saint Charbel’s tomb, a psychiatric hospital, and the Beirut port site of the 2020 explosion. Essayan says these stops symbolize a demand for justice and attention to the vulnerable. He hopes the journey marks a decisive turning point toward better times for the suffering population. (Source: LiCAS News)
Cambodian Catholic leaders gathered in Tangkok to mark the Feast of Christ the King and honor victims of the Khmer Rouge genocide. Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusle presided over the event, recalling the martyrdom of Bishop Joseph Chhmar Salas and others killed during the Pol Pot regime. The gathering drew pilgrims nationwide, according to Fides News Agency. Bishop Schmitthaeusle urged the faithful to promote peace amid renewed tensions along the Thai border. He called for dialogue, forgiveness, and reconciliation, emphasizing that hope must translate into concrete action. The Catholic community in Cambodia numbers approximately 23,000 people today.
A Swiss Catholic aid worker with extensive experience in North Korea warned that international sanctions are worsening hardship for ordinary citizens. Speaking at a forum in a neighboring country, she stated that punitive measures linked to the regime’s nuclear programs primarily affect the poor rather than the leadership. The aid worker noted that malnutrition is spreading and the country remains inaccessible to most NGOs since the pandemic. She emphasized the need for sustained peace diplomacy and highlighted ongoing efforts to support vulnerable groups, including children and people with disabilities, despite the severe humanitarian crisis affecting millions.
The Order of Malta Thailand attended the 13th Asia-Pacific Conference in Singapore from November 5 to 7, 2025. Led by President Chartsiri Sophonpanich, the delegation helped establish a new regional branch of Malteser International. This initiative aims to improve disaster response and healthcare coordination across the region. Dr. Virachai Techavijit stated the event provided renewed direction for humanitarian work. Following the summit, the group organized the sixth annual Day of the Sick and the Poor in Bangkok on November 15. Volunteers provided medical screenings, spiritual care, and essential supplies to those in need at St. Mark’s Church.
The Catholic Church in Thailand has initiated emergency relief operations in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, following historic floods that affected over 2.1 million people across nine southern provinces. Bishop Paul Trairong Multree coordinated a response plan involving the distribution of food, water, and medical supplies, alongside a central kitchen preparing Halal meals. Local authorities declared all 16 districts in Songkhla as disaster zones after water levels reached two meters, stranding thousands of residents and tourists. The Diocese of Surat Thani is working with COERR to deliver aid, while clergy in Bangkok are mobilizing donations to support the ongoing crisis.
South Korea has launched a nationwide initiative to combat its high suicide rate by partnering with major religious communities. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and faith leaders signed a framework agreement on November 24 in Seoul during the first Government-Religion Cooperation Forum. The accord aims to build a culture of respect for life and unify government efforts with religious initiatives. According to the Vatican’s Fides News Agency, the move addresses suicide as a critical public health challenge. Leaders from Catholic, Christian, Buddhist, and Won Buddhist groups pledged active participation, citing the sacredness of life and shared values to help reduce the nation’s leading cause of death among younger demographics.
Caritas Da Nang has deployed teams to remote communities in central Vietnam, including Quang Nam province, as severe floods and landslides continue to devastate the region. The organization distributes food, clothing, and generators to families trapped by rising waters and collapsed slopes. In A Teep village, workers assisted residents after landslides buried homes, though all occupants survived due to timely evacuations. This relief effort coincides with a national crisis where authorities report 41 deaths across six provinces and over 52,000 flooded houses. The disaster has displaced nearly 62,000 people and caused widespread infrastructure damage, prompting government mobilization of security forces for evacuations.
A US congressional commission heard testimony that Beijing’s suppression of religious groups poses a national security risk to the United States. A former ambassador urged sanctions against China for detaining Catholic bishops and violating religious freedom. A pastor’s daughter shared her family’s ordeal and allegations of harassment by Chinese agents. Bipartisan senators supported her call for his release. The commission also heard from advocates for Tibetan and Muslim minorities. A representative emphasized that the US must protect religious freedom domestically to maintain credibility in promoting it abroad.
Catholic bishops from Latin America, Africa, and Asia presented a joint appeal at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The document urges governments to halt new fossil fuel exploration and provide fair climate finance. Leaders argue that current pledges ignore the realities of communities facing environmental collapse. The initiative highlights the need for debt-free support and stronger protections for Indigenous peoples. By integrating Catholic social teaching into negotiations, the bishops aim to influence national positions on loss-and-damage financing. This coordinated effort seeks to place the concerns of climate-vulnerable nations at the center of the UN process.
A human rights organization urged the Pakistani government to act decisively against the forced conversion and coerced marriage of young Christian girls. Speaking at an annual gathering in a city in Punjab, the group highlighted a persistent pattern of abductions targeting minors as young as 12. The organization's director stated that these acts violate religious freedom and basic human rights. Perpetrators often evade accountability due to legal loopholes and intimidation. The group called for uniform enforcement of child-protection laws, specialized investigative units, and better support systems for victims and their families across Pakistan.
Seoul, South Korea: On November 15, a national symposium convened youth, scholars, and Vatican officials to discuss preparations for World Youth Day 2027. The Catholic University Pastoral Research Institute and the Local Organizing Committee hosted the event to understand young people's realities. More than half of the attendees were young adults. Bishop Paul Kyung-sang Lee and Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung emphasized listening to youth concerns. Presentations included data from a survey of nearly 4,000 youths. Organizers stated the insights will guide pastoral decisions leading up to the 2027 event.
St. Louis College in Thailand has pledged to use its annual profit to support more than ten newly admitted nursing students who were denied government loans. The decision was made during a council meeting on November 19, chaired by Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu. The cardinal directed the funds to prevent these vulnerable first-year students from dropping out. He stated this action responds to Pope Leo XIV’s call for the Church to care for the poor. The college, which recently marked its 40th anniversary, aims to uphold its mission of forming nurses rooted in charity and professional excellence while complying with national educational standards.
Human rights group Fortify Rights reports that Myanmar’s military junta intensified airstrikes on civilians in Karenni State between June and September 2025. The attacks targeted schools, clinics, churches, and displacement camps, killing at least 55 people and injuring more than 40. The group states these strikes likely constitute war crimes aimed at securing political legitimacy ahead of planned elections. Specific incidents included a hospital and Wi-Fi shop destroyed in a town, and bombs landing near a kindergarten in a township. Fortify Rights urges the international community to impose arms embargoes and deny recognition of the upcoming vote.
The Catholic Church in South Korea held its tenth Korean Peninsula Peace-sharing Forum in Seoul. Hosted by the Archdiocese of Seoul, the event urged participants to become 'Masters of Peace' based on Pope Francis's encyclical. Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung and Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giovanni Gaspari spoke about the need for reconciliation. Katarina Zellweger, former Caritas director, gave a keynote speech on humanitarian work in North Korea. The organizers stated they plan to expand peace programs in collaboration with global churches and youth groups ahead of World Youth Day 2027.
On November 16, Thailand’s VV Share Foundation announced expanded cooperation with government agencies to scale its nationwide food-sharing program during the IX World Day of the Poor. Founded by Mary Sarindhorn Mativachranon, the organization redistributes surplus food to the needy, having delivered over 774,000 meals by October 2025. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration are finalizing agreements to extend operations into more provinces. This initiative aligns with national strategies to reduce food waste and support vulnerable communities, reflecting Catholic social teaching principles.
The Diocese of Hong Kong is expanding health support for foreign domestic workers after screenings at St. Stephen’s Church in Kwai Chung revealed high rates of obesity and hypertension. A survey of 30 participants showed over 70 percent were obese and 60 percent had high blood pressure, figures exceeding city averages. On October 28, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing and Father Paul Kam Po-wai met with Health In Action founder Dr. Fan Ning to strategize improvements. Susanna Lee of the diocesan commission stated the initiative aims to strengthen mutual care and unity between diverse parish communities in line with Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year calls.
A Jesuit deacon has returned to Myanmar to serve displaced families in a village in northern Myanmar. According to his superior, the deacon focuses on pastoral care, providing food distribution and spiritual support in areas facing severe hardship due to ongoing civil conflict. He emphasizes listening and presence over preaching, noting that his ministry helps sustain hope among those struggling with poverty and trauma. The deacon is scheduled to be ordained a priest in a city in Myanmar in December 2025. His work highlights the church's role in providing stability during the humanitarian crisis. (LiCAS News)
Pope Leo XIV joined 1,300 guests, including the poor and displaced, for a meal in Rome’s Paul VI Hall on the Ninth World Day of the Poor. The event, organized by the Vincentians, featured simple dishes like vegetable lasagna and fruit. During the gathering, the Pope thanked his predecessor, Pope Francis, for establishing the day. He also prayed for those suffering from war, violence, and hunger, specifically mentioning conflicts affecting people from Ukraine and other regions. Guests shared personal stories of hardship and resilience, while volunteers provided care kits. The Pope encouraged attendees to take food home, emphasizing fraternity and support for marginalized communities.
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