ISIS

The Latest

Refugees who have fled from ISIS and arrived in Ankawa, in the northern part of Erbil, Iraq.

Mosul archbishop's plea to the West: Save us from ISIS

Jun 13, 2015

A leading Iraqi prelate has called on world governments to increase their efforts to defeat ISIS and restore land and... Read more

A young refugee rests after having fled from ISIS.

A year after ISIS invasion, religious minorities in Mosul could disappear

Jun 9, 2015

By Adelaide Mena

One year after ISIS invaded Mosul, the Iraqi city’s diverse religious heritage is on the verge of extinction, warned a... Read more

Sister Diana Momeka, OP appeared before the House of Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington D.C. on May 13, 2015.

Iraqi Christians have lost everything – except their faith, nun tells Congress

May 13, 2015

By Matt Hadro

Having lost their homes, their heritage and their sense of dignity, Iraqi Christians victimized by the Islamic State feel abandoned... Read more

Refugee children at the Sharia Al Haman Hope Refugee Camp in Duhok, Iraq 2 on March 28, 2015.

Facing uncertain future, Iraqi refugees sacrifice for education

May 5, 2015

Less than a mile away from the local coffee shops, fancy restaurants, and the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, the capital... Read more

The International Criminal Court in The Hague (ICCCPI), Netherlands.

International Criminal Court should step up against ISIS, report advises

May 4, 2015

By Matt Hadro

The atrocities committed by the Islamic State require a strong global response, including action by the International Criminal Court, said... Read more

Kayla Mueller. Photo courtesy of the Mueller Family.

'I find God in suffering': The gripping life and death of Kayla Mueller

May 1, 2015

By Elise Harris, Alan Holdren

Kayla Mueller, the young human rights activist who was killed earlier this year while being held hostage by ISIS, was... Read more

A view of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Is dialogue with Islam possible? Yes, and it's needed now more than ever, Vatican says

Apr 22, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Amid continued violence by ISIS and other militant Islamist groups, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issued a declaration stressing... Read more

Refugee children at a refugee camp in Duhok, Iraq on March 28, 2015.

Fighting ISIS with a school – Iraqi bishop says education is needed for change

Apr 21, 2015

Bishop Bashar Matti Warda is the bishop of Erbil, Iraq, one of the dioceses most attacked by ISIS, and where... Read more

Pope Francis overlooking the crowd in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday morning on April 5, 2015.

Pope on ISIS killings: Blood of Ethiopian Christians 'cries out to be heard'

Apr 20, 2015

Pope Francis voiced his distress at the news of a reported mass execution of Ethiopian Christians in Libya at the... Read more

Ankawa in Erbil Province.

Ankawa bomb attack strikes unease in refugees with nowhere else to go

Apr 18, 2015

By Elise Harris

A car bomb explosion in front of the American consulate in what is considered the safest city in Iraq has... Read more

Sister Suhama in Alqosh, Iraq in April 2015.

With Iraqi Christians besieged, these are the priests and nuns who choose to stay

Apr 15, 2015

By Oliver Maksan

“At night we often hear gunfire,” says Father Steven, a priest in Alqosh, Iraq.  Read more

Crucifix.

High-profile Rome exorcist: 'ISIS is Satan'

Apr 15, 2015

In a recent Facebook post, well-known Roman exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth said the Islamic State (ISIS) “is Satan,” also questioning... Read more

Seminarian Roni Marzina Momica with a group of children outside an Aid to the Church in Need office. Photo Courtesy of Roni Marzina Momica.

Bomb attack, ISIS invasion can't dampen faith of Iraqi seminarian

Apr 8, 2015

By Elise Harris

Roni Marzina Momica has seen it all: a victim of a 2010 bus attack and among those forced to leave... Read more

Shelan Jibrael (far right) stands with a group of refugees in Erbil, Iraq.

One Christian woman's quest to care for the forgotten Yazidis in Iraq

Apr 6, 2015

Shelan Jibrael’s office is located in the Iraqi city of Erbil, where tens of thousands of Iraqi Christians displaced by... Read more

Piece of Colomba cake.

A sweet sign of hope: Pope's envoy returns to Iraq with Easter cake

Mar 29, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis' personal envoy to Iraq will return to the country during Holy Week, bringing with him the pontiff's love... Read more

 A young child at the Sharia Refugee Camp in Dohuk, Iraq.

Pope's delegation offers comfort, communion to Iraqi refugees

Mar 28, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Hoping to awaken the world conscience on Iraq, a Pontifical delegation traveled to Erbil and Dohuk to foster local communion... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the General Audience Sept. 25, 2013.

Pope condemns Tunisia attack as act against 'the sacredness of life'

Mar 19, 2015

By Elise Harris

On behalf of Pope Francis, the Vatican’s Secretariat of State has sent a letter to the archbishop of Tunisia, assuring... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Wed. general audience on May 28, 2014.

Pope Francis talks ISIS, jokes about being a 'coward' when it comes to physical pain

Mar 10, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis gave a recent interview with an Argentinian shanty town's community paper, where he touched on how he feels... Read more

Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan ordains a Syro-Catholic priest in Istanbul, Turkey Nov. 28, 2014.

Patriarch urges prayer after at least 90 Christians kidnapped in Syria

Feb 24, 2015

By Elise Harris

With reports circulating saying that ISIS forces have kidnapped at least 90 Christians from villages in northeast Syria, Patriarch Ignatius... Read more

Swearing in of the Swiss Guard at the Vatican on May 6, 2014.

Swiss Guard: We are ready to defend Pope from ISIS

Feb 24, 2015

The commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard says the group of soldiers charged with protecting the Pope is on high... Read more