Middle East - Africa News
Catholic bishops appeal for calm ahead of Benin’s 2026 elections
In a statement issued Jan. 10, Benin’s Catholic bishops said that diversity in opinions should be a “source of strength”... Read more
Cardinal Pizzaballa on truce between Israel and Hamas: ‘It was absolutely necessary’
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said that in the Holy Land “people are happy because this war has worn us down, exhausted... Read more
Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal in Gaza, includes hostage release
Brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt after 15 months of war, the agreement could be implemented as early... Read more
Nigeria tops report for number of Christians killed, kidnapped in 2024
The World Watch List, released Jan. 15, found that 3,100 Christians were killed and 2,830 Christians were kidnapped in Nigeria... Read more
Religious sisters abducted in Nigeria released, ‘in good health’ after weeklong captivity
The members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Mother of Christ who were abducted on Jan. 7 in the Archdiocese... Read more
Cardinal Parolin: Christians essential for peace, ‘fraternal coexistence’ in the Middle East
Parolin met with the papal representatives of Bahrain, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine,... Read more
Angola archbishop: ‘I was on a list of people to be eliminated’
Angolan Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba has revealed that he was once on a list of people targeted for assassination for... Read more
Syria’s Christians voice relief, seek further security guarantees after political shift
Christians in Syria continue to seek more concrete guarantees, although opinions differ on what form these guarantees should take. Read more
New church in Jordan reflects national desire for closer ties with Christendom
The church’s inauguration also reflected the Hashemite kingdom’s determination to establish itself as an essential stop-off point for pilgrims to... Read more
Appeal for ‘fervent prayers’ issued for religious sisters kidnapped in southeastern Nigeria
IHM Secretary General in Nigeria Sister Maria Sobenna Ikeotuonye announced the abduction of Sisters Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette... Read more
Lebanon elects Gen. Joseph Aoun as president amid divided Christian bloc
Lebanon’s Parliament on Thursday elected Gen. Joseph Aoun as the 14th president of the country after a two-year vacancy of... Read more
Vatican to host historic Jordan exhibition on Christianity’s origins
The “Jordan: Dawn of Christianity” exhibit will open at the Vatican on Jan. 31 showcasing 90 artifacts. Read more
Illegal workers stuck in South African mine should be handled ‘with dignity,’ bishop says
The illegal miners stuck in a mine in South Africa’s North West Province are human beings whose dignity should be... Read more
Hopes rise for Christians as Church leaders meet new Syria leader
As Syria navigates a transitional phase, questions abound regarding the Church’s role in shaping the new Syrian nation. Has the... Read more
Catholic priest in Nigeria murdered by ‘unidentified assailants’
After the death of Nigerian priest Father Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo the day after Christmas, the diocese appealed for prayers “for... Read more
Safety concerns escalate for Christians in historic Syrian town
Christians in Maaloula in western Syria have been living with an intensifying fear for their safety, exacerbated by a recent... Read more
PHOTOS: Cardinal Pizzaballa opens 2025 Jubilee Year in Holy Land
The entry of the jubilee cross into the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth on Dec. 29 marked the opening... Read more
Priestly vocations are up in Burkina Faso despite Islamic terrorism
Despite constant terrorist attacks suffered by Catholics in Burkina Faso from Islamic fundamentalists, vocations to the priesthood have increased in... Read more
We’re ‘finding creative methods to reach people,’ says bishop of 1-year-old Nigerian diocese
Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa said the innovative approaches to evangelization are bearing fruit in various sectors of his diocese. Read more
Patriarch of Jerusalem: Let us look to the future with hope, without hatred or violence
“Our commitment this Christmas is to rebuild our trust and renew our hope for life here in Bethlehem and throughout... Read more
