The first edition of L'Osservatore Romano in a non-European language was launched today at an official function in Thiruvananthapuram, India.

The Italian-language Vatican journal, which is published daily, is the Catholic Church's official press organ. Started in 1861, L’Osservatore covers the activities of the Pope, offers reviews of Papal Encyclicals and carries general news about the Catholic Church worldwide.

It is now available in a weekly edition in Malayalam, the language spoken in the southern Indian region of Kerala. Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil, launched the new edition.

The publication also exists in English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese.