The OLIRE (Observatory of Religious Liberty in Latin America) 2025 Annual Report

The Middle East on the Brink of Collapse: Another Call for Peace from the Pope, the Death of a Member of the Order of Malta in Lebanon, and Bombings at Shepherds’ Fields in Bethlehem

The death of a young humanitarian worker linked to the Sovereign Order of Malta, as well as the killing of a Maronite priest, has further shaken the local Church. The latter case has sparked international condemnation from a network of over 2,200 priests across 59 countries, who have called for accountability under international law and denounced what they describe as serious violations of humanitarian norms

Pew Research Center: Why Buddhism is in decline in East Asia

A new report looks at the reasons for the decline based on qualitative interviews in Tokyo and Seoul. In addition to demographic decline, the erosion of faith between generations, the “pressures of modern life”, the decline in religious practices, and negative views of religion have also played a role. However, many claim to maintain a cultural connection with Buddhism and still feel drawn to its teachings.