Eurotopics.net

The number of baptisms among adults and young people in France has doubled since 2023, and more than 21,000 people are due to be baptised during the upcoming Easter Vigil. Other countries such as Belgium are also seeing an increase in this rite of initiation into the Church. With Easter celebrations beginning tomorrow, commentators reflect on the fundamental significance of faith, religion and spirituality.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has slammed Spain's government for refusing to allow the US to use its airspace for the Iran war. In an interview he said that Nato could not be "a one-way street" and announced that the alliance would have to be re-examined. Italy also recently denied US fighter jets the right to land in Sicily. Europe's press sees the alliance in grave danger.

The US-Israeli war against Iran – and the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz – have caused energy prices to soar. Measures to curb petrol prices are being implemented or discussed in several EU countries. Europe's press takes stock of the situation – with a sense of déjà vu.

According to a leaked audio recording published by investigative media, Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Péter Szijjártó promised his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, that he would do his utmost to have the sister of a Russian oligarch removed from the EU sanctions list. He also reportedly promised Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin that he would work towards having the sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet lifted.

The Israeli parliament has voted to introduce the death penalty for terrorists. Of 120 members, 62 voted in favour of the legislation initiated by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party. The law applies to deadly attacks deemed acts of terrorism by military courts in the occupied territories – meaning that in practice it applies only to Palestinians. Europe's press is alarmed.