Middle East - Africa News

Pope Francis meets the Catholic bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo on his final day in Kinshasa on Feb. 3, 2023.

Democratic Republic of Congo bishops stress need for ceasefire, dialogue, and human dignity

Feb 12, 2025

By Silas Isenjia

Leaders of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar have appealed for action for victims of violence in... Read more

German theologian and journalist Matthias Kopp — spokesman for the German Bishops’ Conference and a consultant to the Vatican Dicastery for Communication — was in Iraq this past week to present his new book, “The Christian Legacy in Iraq.”

German theologian and journalist explores the legacy of Iraq’s Christians

Feb 8, 2025

By Rody Sher

German theologian and journalist Matthias Kopp was in Iraq this week to present his new book, “The Christian Legacy in... Read more

A poster announces a campaign organized by the Pan-African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) to end human trafficking.

St. Josephine Bakhita’s feast day marks anti-human trafficking campaign launch in Africa

Feb 8, 2025

By Agnes Aineah

The campaign, which begins on Feb. 8, the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, is designated for prayer and awareness... Read more

In a Jan. 29, 2025, report, the leadership of the aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales said the situation in Goma has worsened due to escalating conflict, underscoring the need for a heightened humanitarian response.

As fighting rages on in Eastern DR Congo, Catholic charity steps up humanitarian response

Feb 2, 2025

By Silas Isenjia

In a Jan. 29 report, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development urged the international community to acknowledge the crisis in... Read more

Father Hyacinth Ementa Ichoku.

Journalists in Nigeria urged to speak up, expose all forms of Christian persecution

Jan 31, 2025

By Abah Anthony John

A priest in the Awka Diocese in Nigeria has encouraged journalists to expose Christian persecution, which is at its highest... Read more

Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti presides over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Paul’s Shrine in Tabbaleh, Damascus, on Jan. 25, 2025.

Vatican’s first envoy to postwar Syria sees a nation with ‘a desire for life’

Jan 29, 2025

By Souhail Lawand

The occasion marked the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the feast of the Conversion of... Read more

Father Francesco Patton, custos of the Holy Land, stops at the Eighth Station of the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem during the Good Friday Via Crucis on March 29, 2024.

PHOTOS: Challenges and triumphs: The custos of the Holy Land reflects on 9 years

Jan 28, 2025

By Marinella Bandini

As he gets ready to retire, Father Francesco Patton talks to CNA about his years leading the Custody of the... Read more

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Benin.

Catholic bishops appeal for calm ahead of Benin’s 2026 elections

Jan 18, 2025

By Sabrine Amboka

In a statement issued Jan. 10, Benin’s Catholic bishops said that diversity in opinions should be a “source of strength”... Read more

The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, speaks with Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of Holy Family Church, during his December 2024 visit to Gaza.

Cardinal Pizzaballa on truce between Israel and Hamas: ‘It was absolutely necessary’

Jan 17, 2025

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said that in the Holy Land “people are happy because this war has worn us down, exhausted... Read more

A soldier passes by a wall covered with photos of hostages held by Hamas after the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack in a Tel Aviv train station on Jan. 14, 2025, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal in Gaza, includes hostage release

Jan 15, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

Brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt after 15 months of war, the agreement could be implemented as early... Read more

Church at the Good Shepherd Major Seminary in Kaduna, Nigeria.

Nigeria tops report for number of Christians killed, kidnapped in 2024

Jan 15, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The World Watch List, released Jan. 15, found that 3,100 Christians were killed and 2,830 Christians were kidnapped in Nigeria... Read more

On Jan. 7, 2025, two religious sisters were kidnapped in the Archdiocese of Onitsha in Nigeria.

Religious sisters abducted in Nigeria released, ‘in good health’ after weeklong captivity

Jan 15, 2025

By ACI Africa

The members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Mother of Christ who were abducted on Jan. 7 in the Archdiocese... Read more

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin arrives prior to a Mass for the consecration of the church at the site of Jesus’ baptism on Jan. 10, 2025, in Al-Maghtas, Jordan. Pope Francis appointed Parolin as papal legate to consecrate the Church of the Baptism of Jesus at Al-Maghtas, also known as “Bethany Beyond the Jordan.” Parolin met with 14 Middle East pontifical representatives in Jordan on Jan. 13, 2025, to discuss challenges in the region including ongoing hostilities there.

Cardinal Parolin: Christians essential for peace, ‘fraternal coexistence’ in the Middle East

Jan 14, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Parolin met with the papal representatives of Bahrain, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine,... Read more

Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba of the Archdiocese of Saurimo in Angola.

Angola archbishop: ‘I was on a list of people to be eliminated’

Jan 13, 2025

By João Vissesse

Angolan Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba has revealed that he was once on a list of people targeted for assassination for... Read more

Father Ibrahim Faltas, vice custodian of the Holy Land, meets with Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the head of Syria’s new administration, in Damascus.

Syria’s Christians voice relief, seek further security guarantees after political shift

Jan 13, 2025

By Souheil Lawand

Christians in Syria continue to seek more concrete guarantees, although opinions differ on what form these guarantees should take. Read more

A depiction of the Baptism of the Lord is prominently placed in the new Church of the Baptism in Jordan during the church’s inauguration on Jan. 10, 2025.

New church in Jordan reflects national desire for closer ties with Christendom

Jan 10, 2025

By Solène Tadié

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

An African nun prays the rosary. On Jan. 7, 2025, two religious sisters were kidnapped in the Archdiocese of Onitsha in Nigeria.

Appeal for ‘fervent prayers’ issued for religious sisters kidnapped in southeastern Nigeria

Jan 10, 2025

By Jude Atemanke

IHM Secretary General in Nigeria Sister Maria Sobenna Ikeotuonye announced the abduction of Sisters Vincentia Maria Nwankwo and Grace Mariette... Read more

Lebanon’s Parliament has elected Gen. Joseph Aoun to be president of the Republic of Lebanon.

Lebanon elects Gen. Joseph Aoun as president amid divided Christian bloc

Jan 9, 2025

By ACI MENA

Lebanon’s Parliament on Thursday elected Gen. Joseph Aoun as the 14th president of the country after a two-year vacancy of... Read more

The papal ambassador to Jordan, Archbishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, and Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab speak at a press conference in Amman, Jordan, about the new exhibit “Jordan: Dawn of Christianity,” which will open at the Vatican on Jan. 31, 2025.

Vatican to host historic Jordan exhibition on Christianity’s origins

Jan 9, 2025

By Sanad Sahelia

The “Jordan: Dawn of Christianity” exhibit will open at the Vatican on Jan. 31 showcasing 90 artifacts. Read more

In a statement published Jan. 3, 2025, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of South Africa’s Mthatha Diocese weighed in on the situation of the illegal miners who have been trapped in a mine in South Africa’s North West Province since November.

Illegal workers stuck in South African mine should be handled ‘with dignity,’ bishop says

Jan 7, 2025

By Silas Isenjia

The illegal miners stuck in a mine in South Africa’s North West Province are human beings whose dignity should be... Read more