Elephants from a Buddhist temple are present as Pope Francis arrives at the international airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 13. (CNS/Paul Haring)
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In case you didn't know, Pope Francis arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday, in which he called on Sri Lankans to accept their differences.
NCR Vatican correspondent Joshua J. McElwee is in Sri Lanka, so be sure to check out all of the coverage. And follow McElwee on Twitter!
Francis will travel to Manila, the Philippines later this week, where McElwee will join NCR Manila correspondent N.J. Viehland. You can follow all of the coverage of Francis in the Philippines here.
ICYMI: Read this feature from Tom Boswell on his return to Nicaragua to find the flames of solidarity still alight
Fr. Peter Daly attempts to answer the question: Where are all the young adults in church?
And Mariam Williams asks: What would Christians need to overcome to accept transgender people?
In other world news:
Pakistan schools reopen for first time since Taliban attack
Philippine activists seek pope's intervention over political prisoners
Egypt acquits 26 men in trial over police raid on gays
2,000 feared dead in Boko Haram attack in Nigeria
Vatican denies any security threats after attack in Paris
Vatican to put man who scaled St. Peter's Basilica on trial
Nigerian archbishop accuses the West of ignoring Boko Haram
In other U.S. news:
U.S. vows to work with new Sri Lankan president
GOP hopes it has cracked the abortion code
Opinion: Pope Francis rattles U.S. conservatives
Florida church discovers time capsule inside altar
Charlotte, N.C., diocese fires gay teacher for saying he will marry his partner
Looking for a little inspiration to begin your day? NCR's sister publication, Celebration, gives you two options, both based on the Scripture readings of the day:
Pencil Preaching is blog in which Celebration editor Pat Marrin combines Scripture and sketching to reflect on the Word.
Daily Bread is a series of short reflections written by four authors who meet regularly to share the readings. Daily Bread is intended to help daily preachers and others who pray from the assigned Scriptures each day to orient themselves to the Living Word addressed to the church in the world. It's a great way to begin the day.