Kegham Balian, a prominent figure in Jerusalem's Armenian community Photo: National Catholic Register

South Korean government passes laws ahead of World Youth Day. A television broadcast agreement is also signed

The Seoul Metropolitan Council has approved two key ordinances providing official institutional support for the 41st World Youth Day, scheduled for August 3–8, 2027. The measures establish the legal and administrative framework necessary for cooperation between the Archdiocese of Seoul, local government and public agencies responsible for welcoming an event expected to attract as many as two million pilgrims from around 190 countries

Jordan is cataloging, promoting, and revitalizing 34 Christian sites in the Holy Land

The initiative promoted by the Hashemite Kingdom consolidates investment in Christian religious tourism in the country and looks ahead to 2030, when the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus will be celebrated. From Mount Nebo to Madaba, from Gerasa to the Byzantine site of Petra itself – these are places that aim to create itineraries independent of trips to Israel and Palestine.