Middle East - Africa News

Pope Francis greets South Sudanese President Salva Kiir at the Vatican, April 11, 2019.

Pope Francis kissed his feet. Who is the cowboy-hat-wearing president of South Sudan?

Feb 2, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

At a Vatican retreat in 2019, Pope Francis kissed the feet of President Salva Kiir — and those of his... Read more

Pope Francis interacted with an energetic crowd of 65,000 young adults and catechists at Martyrs' Stadium in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Feb. 2, 2023.

Pope Francis to Congolese youth: Prayer is your secret weapon for peace

Feb 2, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis interacted with an enthusiastic crowd of about 65,000 young people and adults, some of whom traveled days to... Read more

On his second day in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa, Feb. 1, 2023, Pope Francis listened to the stories of victims of violence from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s conflict-ridden eastern region.

Pope Francis to Congolese charities: ‘It’s not philanthropy, but faith’

Feb 1, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The pope praised the work being done to assist those in poverty and emphasized the importance of Christian charity as... Read more

Young people from eastern Congo lay down the machetes and knives used to kill their families at the foot of Christ’s cross to symbolize their forgiveness in a moving encounter with Pope Francis during his trip to the country Feb. 1, 2023.

Pope Francis ‘left without words’ after children’s shocking stories of violence in eastern Congo

Feb 1, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The moving encounter with the pope provided a potent reminder of the horrors taking place in eastern Congo. Read more

Pope Francis celebrated Mass with around 1 million people in Kinshasa, DRC, on Feb. 1, 2023.

1 million attend joyful Mass with Pope Francis in Democratic Republic of Congo

Feb 1, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Catholics danced and sang songs, including a chant of “Maman Maria,” which means “Mama Mary” in French, as they awaited... Read more

Pope Francis is greeted at the N’Dolo Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Jan. 31, 2023.

‘Hands off Africa!’ Pope Francis says in Democratic Republic of Congo

Jan 31, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis urged the international community to give the central African country its autonomy while not turning a blind eye... Read more

A group of school girls receiving the sacraments of baptism and confirmation in Onitsha, Anambra, Nigeria, on May 30, 2022.

Where is Mass attendance highest? One country is the clear leader

Jan 29, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

A compilation of new data by researchers at Georgetown University sheds light on the countries around the world that have... Read more

Syrian archbishop-elect Father Jacques Mourad.

New Syrian Catholic archbishop tells how he survived captivity by Islamic State

Jan 23, 2023

By Ana Paula Morales

The appointment of Father Jacques Mourad, a Syrian priest, as archbishop was confirmed by Pope Francis on Jan. 7. Read more

Some victims of the attack at the hospital in Agan and Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria.

Priest describes ‘horrifying’ new attack on Catholics in Nigeria that leaves at least 11 dead

Jan 20, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Alleged Fulani herdsmen on Jan. 19 attacked a village near Makurdi, the capital of Nigeria’s Benue State. Read more

Fr. Marcel Uwineza was only 14 years old when he witnessed the painful experience of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. He saw his father, mother, two brothers, and a sister murdered during the civil war between the Tutsis and Hutus.

Rwandan priest forgives his family’s killer: ‘We shared a drink and we were shedding tears’

Jan 17, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Father Uwineza said he was “invaded by something higher than him. It’s something we can’t forgive on our own. ...... Read more

Father Michael Mithamo King’ori embraces Archbishop Anthony Muheria during his Jan. 14, 2023, ordination Mass.

First-ever blind Catholic priest in Kenya is ordained

Jan 17, 2023

By Magdalene Kahiu

Archbishop Anthony Muheria of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri reflected on the Jan. 14 ordination to the priesthood of Father... Read more

Map of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Islamic State bombs church service in Congo

Jan 16, 2023

By Courtney Mares

At least 10 people were killed and more than three dozen injured in the terrorist attack on a church in... Read more

Father Isaac Achi, a Nigerian Catholic priest, was murdered in Niger State on Jan. 15, 2023.

Catholic priest burned to death in Nigeria

Jan 15, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Another priest was shot in the Jan. 15 bandit attack but survived. Read more

null

Dozens still in captivity after Christmas Day attack in Nigeria, Catholic priest says

Jan 11, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

On Christmas Day 2022, militant Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists attacked Angwan Aku village, reportedly killing one person and abducting... Read more

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Michael Crotty unveils the new sign of Pope Benedict XVI Street in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou.

Visit the Burkina Faso street named in honor of Pope Benedict XVI

Jan 8, 2023

By ACI Africa

The thoroughfare in Ouagadougou is known as Pope Benedict XVI Street. Read more

Four Israeli families who have been fighting to see their children for eight and a half years met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Dec. 21, 2022. Two young men are still alive, kidnapped by Hamas. Two others died, but their bodies were not returned, thus preventing a proper burial, one of the Jewish mitzvahs. Three are Jews, and one is Muslim.

Families of Israeli captives in Gaza Strip appeal to Pope Francis

Jan 8, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

When Pope Francis once again launched the appeal for peace in the Holy Land, he probably had in his eyes... Read more

The blind man from birth washes his eyes in the Pool of Siloam

Excavation site of Pool of Siloam where Jesus cured a blind man to open to public

Jan 7, 2023

By CNA Staff

According to the Old Testament, the Pool of Siloam was built during the reign of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:20). Read more

Pope Benedict XVI

Catholic bishops in Africa recall ‘great self-sacrifice’ of Pope Benedict XVI

Jan 4, 2023

By Jude Atemanke

Writing on behalf of Catholic bishops in Africa, Congolese Cardinal Ambongo said Benedict XVI invited Africa to “trust in itself... Read more

Bishop Fikremariam Hagos Tsalim of Eritrea's Segheneity Eparchy

Catholic bishop, priest released after two months in Eritrea prison

Dec 29, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Security agents had arrested Bishop Tsalim and two priests Oct. 15 at Asmara International Airport upon the bishop’s arrival from... Read more

Christian devotees attend a prayer service at Sacred Heart Cathedral to celebrate Christmas in Lahore, Pakistan, on Dec. 25, 2021.

Christians in Pakistan celebrate Christmas amid heightened security

Dec 28, 2022

By Aftab Alexander Mughal

For the last few weeks, law enforcement agencies put into place comprehensive security arrangements for church services held on Christmas. Read more