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Episode details

Radio 4,16 Oct 2016,44 mins

Patriarch Kirill, The Nun from Aleppo, England's Cathedrals

Sunday

Available for over a year

Patriarch Kirill is in the UK to mark 300 years of the Russian Orthodox church in Britain. However his audience with the Queen has been criticised by those who see him as an ally of President Putin at a fractious time for Anglo-Russian relations over Syria. Trevor Barnes reports. In Aleppo, Sister Annie Demerjian and her volunteers risk their lives as they deliver aid to the sick and elderly. She tells Edward how airstrikes make life there unbearable for those unable to leave. Within a year or so, the majority of Catholic Cardinals, who will elect the next Pope, are likely to have been appointed by Pope Francis. Veteran Vatican journalist Marco Politi tells Edward that recent appointments point towards a conclave composed of fewer traditionalists than ever before. Rahul Tandon reports on proposals by the Indian government to end the practice of triple talaq, which allows Muslim men to divorce their wives by saying "talaq" three times. Simon Jenkins has been on a tour of 53 Anglican and Catholic cathedrals. He tells Edward about his favourite buildings and how he went about ranking the cathedrals for his new guide, 'England's Cathedrals'. York Minster has the largest number of bells of any English Cathedral but this week it was announced they are to remain silent. Edward finds out why. While Donald Trump's campaign battles with allegations about his attitude towards women many high profile evangelicals have withdrawn their support. Sociologist Prof Tony Campolo and Jan Harper-Hayes from Republican Overseas give their views on whether evangelical Christians should continue to support Trump. Producers: Amanda Hancox Peter Everett Image: kremlin.ru.

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