The legal proceedings that ‘cost’ the Sardinian cardinal his place in the conclave are starting from scratch. The Vatican Court of Appeal has ruled that the initial verdict is ‘relatively null and void’ due to a failure to observe procedural safeguards. The defence is satisfied, while the prosecutor’s office, and in particular Alessandro Diddi, are embarrassed by the outcome.
Trump presses allies in vain to join the war against Iran
For three days, Trump has been urging his European and Asian allies to contribute warships to a military operation aimed at keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. However, no one wants to risk facing Iranian missiles, mines, drones and torpedoes in order to help Israel and the United States escalate a conflict in which Netanyahu and Trump risk losing what little credibility they have left.
Christians in the Middle East are the first victims of the war
The spiral of violence in the Middle East is driving Christians in Palestine into exile and forcing them to abandon their homeland. In Lebanon, they are marginalised; in Iran, they are persecuted; and in Syria, they are treated as geopolitical pawns. The war is not only redefining the geopolitical borders of the Middle East, but also its religious geography. This is to the detriment of Christians and demonstrates Western hypocrisy.
A morning in St Peter's between distracted visitors and absent sacredness
What does St Peter's Basilica look like to visitors? We spent a morning in the most important Catholic church in the world. Since 1 March, a route has been reserved for worshippers, but everything, even Mass, is overshadowed by the confused chatter of visitors who have no concept of silence or the sacred. They stroll around as if it were any other tourist attraction. This is what we saw.
- Photogallery
Israel army veterans suffer psychiatric trauma
Netanyahu's government has called up over 100,000 reservists, but has to deal with 30,000 soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It is estimated that this number will rise to 100,000 by 2028.
Without natural law, international law is not possible
Everyone invokes 'international law', but few recognise its objective foundation: the natural order, which is not favoured by either Islam or the dominant way of thinking in the West. One worldview is no better than another, not even in the field of relations between States.
Khamenei Jr. promises an even tougher regime
The Islamic Republic of Iran is digging in its heels. Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, has been appointed Supreme Leader. Although he is not a recognised doctrinal leader, he acts as an intermediary between the clergy and the Revolutionary Guards. He is even more extremist than his father.
When Fellay looked to Rome and feared schism
Israel and US reckon with ammunition stocks
Tensions in Israel: the war will also take its toll on Netanyahu
Behind the apparent unity around the prime minister, Israeli society is deeply divided, and its stability will depend greatly on the outcome of the war with Iran. There is also unrest and uncertainty in the Palestinian territories. The Latin Patriarchate has closed the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem for security reasons.
USA against Iran, a war with no prospects that damages Europe
Once again, it seems that the US and Israel are intent on destabilising areas that are, in energy and geopolitical terms, in Europe's 'backyard'. The only certainty is that the conflict will hit Europe and its economic interests hard. Starting with oil supplies.
The illusion that war creates a better world
No sympathy for the Ayatollahs. No mourning for the death of a ferocious tyrant. But to think that his assassination and the eventual destruction of his regime will change the world for the better is a dangerous illusion. We are merely witnessing a game of power politics.
Attack on Iran: Israel drags the US into 'its' war
At dawn today, several Iranian cities were bombed, including the capital, Tehran. The real goal is to overthrow the Ayatollah regime — a dangerous illusion that in this way it is possible to achieve Israel's security and balance in the Middle East.