It is "a huge exaggeration" to speak of a "German-Polish war" at last year's synod, Polish bishops' conference president Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki has said. Franciscans in India have called for the release of 1,000 prisoners jailed for minor offences to mark the Year of Mercy. Catholics should boycott a Madonna concert in the Philippines, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles has said. John Allen says there is "an almost Alice-in-Wonderland disjunction" between the way Cardinal George Pell is viewed in Rome and in Australia. Andrea Gagliarducci explains why the Pope sees Egypt as the key to dialogue with Islam. Thomas O'Loughlin argues that much of the debate about the Holy Thursday foot-washing rite is "pointless". Brazilian footballing legend Ronaldo was present at yesterday's general audience (video). Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day.