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On September 5, 2024, Pope Francis held a significant interfaith meeting at Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque, emphasizing climate action and religious unity. He signed a joint declaration with Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, urging global leaders to address climate change and extremism. This visit marks the start of his 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania.
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During his historic visit to Indonesia, Pope Francis emphasized the need for interfaith dialogue to combat rising religious intolerance. Speaking to political leaders, he urged them to respect human rights and promote unity in diversity, addressing concerns over extremism in the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.
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A fire at Hillside Endarasha Primary School in Nyeri, Kenya, has resulted in the deaths of at least 17 students and serious injuries to 13 others. The incident occurred on Thursday night, with investigations ongoing into the cause. President William Ruto has called for accountability and a thorough investigation into the tragedy.
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During his visit to Papua New Guinea, Pope Francis called for an end to tribal violence and urged sustainable development of the nation's natural resources. His remarks come amid rising sea levels and environmental degradation affecting local communities. The pope's presence highlights the urgent need for global action on climate change.
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Pope Francis is on a two-day visit to East Timor, a predominantly Catholic nation, as part of a 12-day tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania. His arrival has sparked both celebration and criticism over the $12 million cost of the visit amid ongoing poverty and abuse scandals within the church.
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Violence in Papua New Guinea's Porgera Valley has resulted in an estimated 20 to 50 deaths amid ongoing tribal conflicts over mining rights. The United Nations reports that fighting continues, with security forces now deployed to the area. The situation follows a recent attack on landowners by unauthorized miners.
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Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, celebrates his 100th birthday today, marking a significant milestone in church leadership. Nelson, who has led the church since 2018, is the oldest president in its history and oversees a growing global membership of approximately 17.3 million.
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Pope Francis concluded his visit to East Timor, addressing a crowd of 600,000 at a Mass in Dili. He urged the youth to remember their history and warned against external influences that could alter their culture. The visit highlighted the nation's ongoing struggles with poverty and the controversial spending on the papal visit.
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Pope Francis concluded his visit to East Timor, addressing the youth and urging them to build their nation on the sacrifices of past generations. His visit, marking 20 years of independence, highlighted ongoing challenges like poverty and unemployment while warning against external influences on their culture.
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Pope Francis concluded his 12-day Asia tour in Singapore, where he addressed issues of economic disparity and migrant workers' rights. He emphasized the need for fair wages and conditions for foreign laborers, while also cautioning against the isolating effects of technology. His visit included a grand welcome and the unveiling of an orchid named in his honor.
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Pope Francis advised American Catholics to choose the 'lesser evil' in the upcoming elections, criticizing both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris for their stances on migration and abortion. He emphasized the moral implications of their policies during a press conference on his return from Asia.
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During a flight from Singapore to Rome, Pope Francis criticized US presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, urging American Catholics to vote and choose the 'lesser evil.' He condemned both candidates' stances on immigration and abortion, calling them grave sins against life.
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Pope Francis, 87, concluded an extensive 11-day tour across Asia, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. Despite health challenges, he engaged with large crowds, emphasizing outreach to marginalized communities and promoting peace and civic responsibility.