Middle East - Africa News

St. Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.

Monks close doors of St. Catherine’s Monastery as battle with Egypt government continues

Jun 6, 2025

By Souhail Lawand

The future of St. Catherine’s Monastery in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula remains a source of controversy with tensions rising after a... Read more

Fairbanks, Alaska, Bishop Steven Maekawa, OP, said he plans to offer a special Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Fairbanks for Father Alphonsus Afina, who was captured by Boko Haram on June 1, 2025.

Nigerian priest who served in Alaska captured by Boko Haram, bishop says

Jun 5, 2025

By Daniel Payne

Fairbanks Bishop Steven Maekawa said in a statement this week that Father Alphonsus Afina was captured by Boko Haram in... Read more

Steve Dorsey, U.S. head of communications and public affairs for the International Committee of the Red Cross, speaks about civilian suffering in Gaza with “EWTN News Nightly” host Erik Rosales on June 4, 2025.

Red Cross: Conditions in Gaza ‘worse than hell on earth’

Jun 5, 2025

By Amira Abuzeid

The aid group said Tuesday’s influx of patients was the highest the hospital has seen in one day since its... Read more

The popemobile used by Pope Francis during his visit to Bethlehem in 2014.

Popemobile converted into ambulance blocked from entering Gaza

Jun 3, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

Ongoing border restrictions have prevented Pope Francis’ former popemobile, which was refurbished with essential medical equipment, from reaching its destination.  Read more

St. Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.

Egyptian court ruling on St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai sparks outcry

May 30, 2025

By Souhail Lawand

A court ruling in Egypt about St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai has sparked grave concern within the Greek Orthodox Church... Read more

The bishops of Ghana are shown with Ghana President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House in Accra on May 23, 2025.

Ghana bishops urge action against illegal mining and environmental destruction

May 27, 2025

By Sabrine Amboka

The president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on the government in Ghana to take strong measures against... Read more

Pope Leo XIV speaks to cardinals in Rome on May 10, 2025.

An Augustinian pope: Upholding Africa’s legacy and embracing Eastern Christianity

May 17, 2025

By Souhail Lawand

Eastern Christian communities erupted in celebration at the election of the new pontiff on May 8, but many wondered about... Read more

Meetings took place this week between the head of the transitional phase in Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and U.S. President Donald Trump, in the presence of the Saudi Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.

U.S. lifts sanctions on Syria, renewing hope for Christians and boosting national economy

May 15, 2025

By Souheil Lawand

This week’s announcement by President Donald Trump that the U.S. would fully lift its sanctions on Syria triggered hope in... Read more

Seven members of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in Nigeria’s Enugu state died May 3, 2025, a result of a car accident. Six others sustained injuries and are being treated.

7 Franciscan Capuchins in Nigeria die in car accident, leadership appeals for prayer

May 10, 2025

By Jude Atemanke

In a statement, the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin’s leadership in Nigeria provided details of the car accident that occurred... Read more

From left to right: Cardinal Louis Sako (Iraq), Cardinal Mario Zenari (Syria), Cardinal Dominique Mathieu (Iran), 
Cardinal Louis Sako (Iraq), Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (Jerusalem), and Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero (Morocco).

Who are the Middle Eastern cardinals participating in the conclave?

May 8, 2025

By Souheil Lawand

This paradigm shift reflects the profound transformation within the Catholic Church as it increasingly emphasizes broader representation from the global... Read more

Bishop Maurício Agostinho Camuto of the Diocese of Caxito in Angola greets children at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish of his Episcopal See.

Prioritize children’s schooling over gold mining, Angolan bishop says

May 8, 2025

By João Vissesse

Bishop Maurício Agostinho Camuto warned that prioritizing gold mining over “children’s schooling” has far-reaching consequences for his country’s future. Read more

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Middle Eastern Christians speak: What they want from the next pope

May 5, 2025

By Romy Haber

Here is what some Middle Eastern Christians say they are seeking from the next bishop of Rome. Read more

CNA

Catholic priest recounts massacres in Nigeria during Lent and Holy Week

May 3, 2025

By Abah Anthony John

Over 170 Christians were reportedly killed during Lent and Holy Week in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, with at least 72 deaths... Read more

Members of the Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria (CATHAN) pledged to uphold the “theological and pastoral legacy” of the late Pope Francis, in a statement issued during their 39th annual conference and 40th anniversary commemoration.

Catholic theologians in Nigeria pledge to uphold Pope Francis’ legacy with ‘renewed zeal’

May 1, 2025

By Nicholas Waigwa

Members of the Catholic Theological Association of Nigeria have pledged to uphold the “theological and pastoral legacy” of the late... Read more

Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb sign the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together in 2019 .

Pope Francis and the Islamic world: A legacy of dialogue and fraternity

Apr 26, 2025

By Souhail Lawand

How did Pope Francis view Islam and Muslim peoples during his time as pope? What is the position of the... Read more

Pope Francis arrives in Uganda.

Pope Francis and Africa: The many highs and a moment of misgiving

Apr 25, 2025

By ACI Africa

Pope Francis’ more than 12-year pontificate deeply resonated with the people of God in Africa, with one exception related to... Read more

A memorial for Pope Francis is set up at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral of the Coptic Catholics in Qusiya, Egypt.

‘Brother in humanity’: Church leaders in Middle East pay tribute to Pope Francis

Apr 22, 2025

By Souheil Lawand

Pope Francis is being remembered in the Middle East with tears, prayers, and gratitude. Read more

Iman Hijaze and her mother, Hadidza, at St. Joseph’s House.

How a stolen rosary led one young woman to the Catholic Church

Apr 20, 2025

By Alexey Gotovskiy

Iman Hijaze was raised in a culturally Shiite Muslim household and considered herself an atheist until she picked up a... Read more

The custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, anoints the statue of Jesus on the Stone of Anointing during the ceremony known as the “funeral procession” on Good Friday night 2024. According to the tradition and the Status Quo, on the evening of Good Friday — both Catholic and Orthodox — the rite of preparing Jesus’ body for burial is reenacted on this stone during the so-called “funeral procession.”

Amid ongoing war and blockades, Holy Land Christians insist on celebrating Easter

Apr 19, 2025

By Sanad Sahelia

This year’s Easter celebrations in the Holy Land are expected to unfold under a complex and emotional landscape as war... Read more

A Greek Orthodox monk pours oil into the lamps in front of the edicule of the Holy Sepulcher, which contains the venerated tomb. The three communities responsible for the Holy Sepulcher are the Greek Orthodox, the Latin Catholic, and the Armenian. Every movement and schedule inside the basilica is governed by the Status Quo.

PHOTOS: Archaeologists uncover early use of site beneath Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem

Apr 18, 2025

By Marinella Bandini

Archaeological excavations launched in 2022 in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem have yielded significant data on the... Read more