Middle East - Africa News
Nigerian priest released from captivity after being kidnapped by Boko Haram
The Fairbanks Diocese last month urged the faithful to “pray for [Afina’s] freedom from captivity and for his physical and... Read more
Cardinal Pizzaballa: ‘Christ is not absent from Gaza’ amid war
While expressing particular solidarity with Christian communities in Gaza, the cardinal emphasized that the Church’s “mission” in Gaza is open... Read more
National congress for laity in Angola ‘decisive milestone for Church’
The upcoming July 24–25 congress marks the resumption of a four-year cycle of coordination of the laity that was interrupted... Read more
Pastor of Gaza church hit by Israeli fire: ‘We are in God’s grace and we persevere in faith’
The pastor of the only Catholic church in Gaza, Argentine priest Father Gabriel Romanelli, posted a video on his YouTube... Read more
Palestine’s president calls Pope Leo XIV concerning Holy Land conflict
Pope Leo XIV on Monday spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who called the pope to discuss the conflict in... Read more
Catholic bishops in Ethiopia call for ‘unified voice’ in confronting violent conflicts
“The Church, as a mother, always longs and grieves for her children to enter into peace,” the bishops said, encouraging... Read more
Pizzaballa, Patriarch Theophilos III visit Holy Family Church in Gaza after Israeli attack
Both religious leaders led an ecclesiastical delegation into Gaza to “offer condolences and solidarity” with both Christian and non-Christian families. Read more
Israel says Holy Family Church in Gaza was ‘mistakenly’ hit, ‘regrets’ damage
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a post on X saying “fragments from a shell” hit the parish church, which has... Read more
Pope to Cardinal Pizzaballa after Gaza church attack: ‘It is time to stop this slaughter’
“It is time to stop this slaughter.” With these words, Pope Leo XIV expressed his firm condemnation of the Israeli... Read more
8 things to know about the only Catholic parish in Gaza
Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, the Holy Family Church has been a refuge for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Here... Read more
Gaza’s only Catholic priest among injured in Israeli attack
The Holy Family Church in Gaza was hit Thursday amid a new wave of Israeli bombings, leaving several people dead... Read more
Bishop says U.S. aid cuts, not migrants, crippling South Africa’s health system
A South African bishop blames “recent suspension of most U.S. foreign aid”" for medication shortages and a rise in violence... Read more
Pope urges immediate ceasefire after deadly attack on Catholic parish in Gaza
Following a strike against the only Catholic Church in Gaza, which left at least two dead on July 17, Pope... Read more
UPDATE: Latin Patriarchate confirms Holy Family Church in Gaza hit, 3 deaths reported
The direct strike killed three people, as confirmed by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem hours after the attack. Read more
Jerusalem church leaders visit Taybeh: Christians’ presence in the Holy Land is at risk
The delegation to the West Bank was led by Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch... Read more
‘A living and discreet Church’: Despite persecution, Catholic faith endures in Saudi Arabia
Unlike neighboring countries that have shown signs of openness, when it comes to religious freedom Saudi Arabia remains one of... Read more
Amid great danger, ‘Jesus wants his Church to remain in Syria,’ archbishop says
The Syrian Catholic archbishop of Homs in Syria, Jacques Mourad, has issued an urgent appeal for the future of the... Read more
Outgoing custos of the Holy Land proposes a path to peace
Friar Francesco Patton, the outgoing Franciscan custos of the Holy Land, reflects on his nine years in office and proposed... Read more
Security guard killed, 3 seminarians abducted from Nigerian seminary
In a statement issued July 11, the director of communications for the Auchi Diocese in Nigeria said the attack involved... Read more
6 months into new presidency, Lebanese Christians take stock
Lebanon’s president, Joseph Aoun, faces Hezbollah, a broken state, and Christian expectations. How are Christians there evaluating his first six... Read more
