{"id":68003,"date":"2025-12-01T22:21:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T22:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/?p=68003"},"modified":"2025-12-01T22:21:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T22:21:11","slug":"white-house-official-trump-spoke-with-xi-jinping-about-jimmy-lais-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/white-house-official-trump-spoke-with-xi-jinping-about-jimmy-lais-release\/","title":{"rendered":"Ambtenaar van het Witte Huis: Trump sprak met Xi Jinping over de vrijlating van Jimmy Lai"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n President Donald Trump says he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about imprisoned pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai in October 2025. \/ Credit: Courtesy of the Bradley Foundation<\/span>\n<\/div>\n

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 31, 2025 \/ 17:10 pm (CNA).<\/p>\n

Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed.<\/p>\n

Ambtenaar van het Witte Huis: Trump sprak met Xi Jinping over de vrijlating van Jimmy Lai<\/h2>\n

A White House official told EWTN News White House Correspondent Owen Jensen that U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about imprisoned pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai. <\/p>\n

According to Jensen, the official stated<\/a>: \u201cAs President Trump said, Jimmy Lai should be released and he wants to see that happen.\u201d\u00a0 Prior to leaving for Asia, Trump had told Jensen that he would appeal to the Chinese leader for Lai\u2019s release amid concerns for his health while in solitary confinement. <\/p>\n

Lai is a Catholic entrepreneur and founder of Apple Daily<\/a>, a pro-democracy tabloid paper known for its critical reporting on China and the Hong Kong government who was arrested in December 2020 for charges including unauthorized assemblies, protesting, fraud, and participating in the 2020 Tiananmen Square vigil, a service commemorating those who died in the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.<\/p>\n

EWTN Poland honored with \u2018Christoforos\u2019 award <\/h2>\n

EWTN Poland was honored with a \u201cChristoforos\u201d (Bearer of Christ) award at the 25th anniversary Gala of MIVA Poland, an organization dedicated to supporting missionaries by providing them with means of transportation. <\/p>\n

The award, which was co-granted by the Polish Bishops\u2019 Conference Commission for Missions, was received by Piotr M. Pietrus, CEO and editor-in-chief of EWTN Poland. \u201cWe see this distinction as a confirmation of our mission. Through the media, we strive to carry Christ to places where it is often difficult to reach otherwise \u2014 just as missionaries do, thanks to MIVA Poland\u2019s help,\u201d he said upon being presented with the award. <\/p>\n

Syrian-Armenian foundation in Aleppo marks step toward broader social partnership<\/h2>\n

In a sign of renewal in northern Syria, Aleppo has witnessed the founding of the Syrian-Armenian Community Foundation, the first civil organization established by the Armenian community to reach beyond its own circles and serve all components of Syrian society, CNA\u2019s Arabic language news partner, ACI Mena, reported on Oct. 28<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The foundation aims to strengthen social cohesion, preserve both tangible and intangible heritage, and empower women and youth through cultural and developmental programs. \u201cWe wanted to affirm our place within the Syrian social family,\u201d said Ohannes Shahrayan, chairman of the board, explaining that post-war openness to civic initiatives made it possible to bring the idea to life. <\/p>\n

Vice Chair Sonia Kabrielian emphasized that diversity of gender, age, and denomination is one of the foundation\u2019s strengths. She said the foundation seeks to make Armenian heritage a living part of Syria\u2019s national culture, not just through remembrance but through creative renewal that transforms tradition into a source of shared identity and opportunity.<\/p>\n

Philippines bishop voices concern over dwindling vocations, says priests are \u2018rare sight\u2019<\/h2>\n

Bishop Roberto Gaa of Novaliches is expressing concerns about the dwindling number of priestly vocations in the Philippines. <\/p>\n

\u201cOrdinations have become a rare sight not only in Novaliches but also in other places because no one wants to become a priest anymore,\u201d said Gaa, according to a CBCP News report<\/a> on Oct. 29. The remarks came as Gaa ordained two priests and two deacons in his diocese for the first time in roughly three years. The diocese of Novaliches, he said, has about one priest for every 70,000 parishioners. <\/p>\n

Bahrain to consecrate its oldest Catholic parish as apostolic shrine<\/h2>\n

Sacred Heart Church, the oldest Catholic church in Bahrain, will be consecrated as the official shrine of the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia on Nov. 8, ACI Mena reported Oct. 27<\/a>. The date will mark the church\u2019s elevation and its 85th anniversary. <\/p>\n

Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, issued a decree raising the church to shrine status \u201cto preserve its historical symbolism and strengthen its spiritual role.\u201d The faithful attending the inaugural liturgy will be granted a partial indulgence under the usual conditions.<\/p>\n

Built in 1940 on land donated by Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Sacred Heart Church has long served as a beacon of coexistence for Catholics of many nationalities. With its new designation, it is expected to become a center of devotion, pilgrimage, and interreligious understanding in the Gulf region.<\/p>\n

Sudanese woman shares how she hid Bible pages in her hair during imprisonment<\/h2>\n

Mariam Ibrahim, a Sudanese woman who was arrested and imprisoned for being a Christian, shared how she hid pages of her Bible in her hair so that she could sneak them into prison. <\/p>\n

\u201cPrayer was my strength in prison,\u201d she said, according to a report from ACI Africa on Oct. 31<\/a>. In her testimony at the launch of the 2025 Religious Freedom Report, she described how she managed to keep her Bible in prison. Mariam said, \u201cI had to cut its pages and hide them in my hair so I could read them in the bathroom. That was the only place I could open it without being discovered. I still carry that prison Bible with me everywhere I go.\u201d <\/p>\n

Apostolic administrator appointed for Libya<\/h2>\n

The Vatican\u2019s Dicastery for Evangelization has appointed Father Magdi Helmy Ibrahim Mansour, OFM, as apostolic administrator of the Latin Vicariate of Tripoli, Libya, meldde ACI MENA <\/a>this week. The move, following Bishop George Bugeja\u2019s resignation, underscores the Catholic Church\u2019s enduring pastoral and humanitarian mission in the country.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, Pope Leo XIV honored Helmy with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice<\/em> medal for his service and his collaboration with Vatican diplomacy. Serving in Libya since 2006, Helmy has ministered to migrant communities and described the local church as a \u201cmodern Pentecost,\u201d a gathering of languages and cultures united in faith. Despite dwindling numbers after the 2011 conflict, Mass continues in St. Francis Church in Tripoli, one of the few Catholic sites still active in the country.<\/p>\n

Myanmar bishops express closeness with faithful amid war<\/h2>\n

Catholic bishops of Myanmar issued a statement expressing their closeness with the country\u2019s people as elections organized by the ruling military junta approach. <\/p>\n

\u201cIn these times of great pain, uncertainty, and confusion, we may not be here in person, but we are with you in spirit. From north to south, from east to west, our beloved country is facing a crisis unprecedented in history,\u201d the bishops said<\/a> in a message published by Asia News on Oct. 30, citing war, displacement, economic crisis, and social breakdown. \u201cThis is not the time to give up,\u201d they continued: \u201cPeace is possible, peace is the only way. Let us not let hatred define us. Let us not let despair conquer us. Let us simply carry out our actions with the principles of \u201ccompassion in action, truth in gentleness, and peace without rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/267523\/white-house-official-trump-spoke-with-xi-jinping-about-jimmy-lai-s-release<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

President Donald Trump says he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about imprisoned pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai in October 2025. \/ Credit: Courtesy of the Bradley Foundation Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Oct 31, 2025 \/ 17:10 pm (CNA). Here is a roundup of Catholic world news from the past week that you might have missed. White [\u2026]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":70880,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[100],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-68003","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-christian-news"],"mb":[],"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/christianpure.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/White-House-official-Trump-spoke-with-Xi-Jinping-about-Jimmy-Lais-release.webp?fit=800%2C457&quality=75&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":77350,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/catholic-activist-jimmy-lai-sentenced-to-20-years-in-prison-in-hong-kong-national-security-trial\/","url_meta":{"origin":68003,"position":0},"title":"Catholic activist Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison in Hong Kong national security trial","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"april 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Jimmy Lai, the human rights advocate and outspoken Catholic who has faced what supporters say has been years of politicized prosecution and conviction in Hong Kong, was sentenced on Feb. 9 to 20 years in prison over what Chinese officials claim were national security violations. The sentencing comes after Lai's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Christian News"","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":77509,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/jimmy-lais-family-responds-to-20-year-prison-sentence\/","url_meta":{"origin":68003,"position":1},"title":"Jimmy Lai\u2019s family responds to 20-year prison sentence","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"april 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Jimmy Lai\u2019s family is calling on national leaders to help free the Catholic pro-democracy activist after he received a 20-year prison sentence from a Hong Kong high court.\u201cThe life expectancy of the average male in Hong Kong is 83. My father was handed a 20-year sentence. He is five years\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Christian News"","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":79246,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/prominent-hong-kong-catholic-wins-appeal-but-remains-behind-bars\/","url_meta":{"origin":68003,"position":2},"title":"Prominent Hong Kong Catholic Wins Appeal but Remains Behind Bars","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"maart 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy media mogul and well-known Catholic layperson from Hong Kong, won an appeal this week against a 2022 fraud conviction for which he had been serving a six-year sentence. The reprieve provides little reason for him to celebrate, however, as it comes less than two weeks after\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Christian News"","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":77454,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/secretary-rubio-other-leaders-denounce-jimmy-lais-tragic-20-year-sentence\/","url_meta":{"origin":68003,"position":3},"title":"Secretary Rubio, other leaders denounce Jimmy Lai\u2019s \u2018tragic\u2019 20-year sentence","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"april 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cThe Hong Kong High Court\u2019s decision to sentence Jimmy Lai to 20 years is an unjust and tragic conclusion to this case,\u201d said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a Feb. 9 statement.Jimmy Lai, Catholic entrepreneur and media tycoon, was sentenced on Feb. 9 to 20 years in prison\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Christian News"","block_context":{"text":"Christian News","link":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/category\/christian-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":71456,"url":"https:\/\/christianpure.com\/nl\/learn\/daughter-of-political-prisoner-jimmy-lai-speaks-out-for-the-first-time\/","url_meta":{"origin":68003,"position":4},"title":"Daughter of political prisoner Jimmy Lai speaks out for the first time","author":"Christian Pure Team","date":"januari 19, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Claire Lai, daughter of imprisoned Hong Kong activist and Catholic Jimmy Lai, speaks with EWTN News President Montse Alvarado on \u201cEWTN News Nightly\u201d on Dec. 8, 2025. \/ Credit: \u201cEWTN News Nightly\u201d\/Screenshot Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 9, 2025 \/ 06:00 am (CNA). 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