VATICAN (SE): As the long cavalcade of menacing-looking black vehicles snaked its way through the maze of alleyways in Vatican City, dark suited men loitered behind trees, lurked in corners, leaned on fences or scurried about like agitated teenagers waiting for a first date, and the president of the United States of America (US), Donald Trump, arrived at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican for his much talked about face to face meeting with Pope Francis on May 24.

CAIRO (SE): Pope Francis began his epic and much publicised visit to Egypt on April 28 by stressing that one of the prime obligations of a religious leader is to denounce violations of human rights and expose attempts to justify hatred in the name of God, in speaking to an International Peace Conference hosted by the seat of Islamic wisdom in Cairo, the Al-Azhar University.

Arguably the main event of his two-day visit, it was the first appointment on the agenda after a courtesy call to the president of the country, Abdel-Fattah Al Sisi.

CAIRO (SE): “With a joyful and grateful heart I will come in a few days’ time to visit your dear homeland: cradle of civilisation, gift of the Nile, land of sun and hospitality,” Pope Francis said to the people of Egypt prior to his arrival in Cairo on April 28.

He described it as a land where patriarchs and prophets lived and where God made his voice heard.

He added that he was coming as a friend, messenger of peace and a pilgrim to the country that more than 2,000 years ago gave refuge and hospitality to the Holy Family in its flight from King Herod.

PARIS (SE): In taking a couple of rather pointed digs at the two candidates for the run off of the presidential election in France, Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, the Conference of the Bishops of France isolated respect for the weakest members of society, migration and loyalty as citizens of Europe as the three main principles that people should seek to protect in casting their vote on May 7.