Turkey
The Latest
New calls for US sanctions on Turkey for Christian persecution
Christian human rights leaders have called on the Trump administration to issue sanctions on Turkey in response to its actions... Read more
Conference highlights 'forgotten' persecuted Christians
Religious and political leaders warned that persecuted Christians were at risk of being forgotten, during a summit Wednesday, and highlighted the... Read more
Turkey turns second historic Istanbul church into mosque
A month after the former cathedral Hagia Sophia was converted from a museum into a mosque, another Istanbul church-museum, renowned... Read more
Syrian government to build replica of Hagia Sophia
The government of Syria plans to build a replica of Hagia Sophia, with support from Russia, as a protest against... Read more
Indonesian Muslim party warns Erdogan could spark global ‘clash of civilizations’
An Islamic political party in Indonesia said Tuesday that Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could spark a civilizational clash because of... Read more
Cardinal Bo: Hagia Sophia’s conversion into a mosque will ‘reopen wounds’
As Hagia Sophia opened for Muslim prayers Friday for the first time in 86 years, a leading Asian cardinal said... Read more
Hagia Sophia: Greek president appeals to Pope Francis to put pressure on Turkey
The president of Greece called Pope Francis Monday urging the pope to advocate for the preservation of the status quo... Read more
Hagia Sophia as mosque has global implications for religious freedom, experts say
As Christians and world leaders lament Turkey’s reconversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, some experts warn that the act... Read more
Pope Francis expresses sadness after Hagia Sophia is declared a mosque
Pope Francis expressed his sadness Sunday after Turkey’s decision to convert the former Byzantine cathedral of Hagia Sophia back into... Read more
Hagia Sophia declared a mosque hours after court ruling
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has signed a decree converting Hagia Sophia, the former cathedral of Holy Wisdom in Istanbul, into... Read more
Turkish court ruling paves way for Hagia Sophia to be turned into mosque
A Turkish court paved the way Friday for the former Christian basilica Hagia Sophia in Istanbul to be turned back... Read more
Religious scholar laments: Turkish Christians 'a welcome scapegoat'
According to a scholar of comparative religion, Christians in Turkey are being persecuted by the Turkish government, in part to... Read more
US religious freedom commission condemns Turkish airstrikes
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom issued a statement on Friday, calling on the Turkish military to halt... Read more
Priest arrested in Turkey for giving bread and water to Kurdish separatists
Turkish authorities have arrested a Syriac Orthodox priest on terrorism charges after the cleric allegedly provided bread and water to... Read more
Senators reportedly blocked Armenian genocide resolutions at White House request
Congressional resolutions recognizing the Armenian genocide were reportedly blocked by Republican senators at the direction of the White House. Read more
Bishops in Middle East urge prayer for northern Syria
Bishops in Syria and Iraq have called for worldwide prayer as fighting between Turkish and Kurdish forces further destabilizes northern... Read more
Pope Francis prays for ‘beloved and tormented’ Syria
As Turkish-led forces began the fifth day of their move against Kurdish militias in northeastern Syria Sunday, Pope Francis appealed... Read more
Pope, Turkish president, discuss Middle East in first Vatican meeting
On Monday, Pope Francis and the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, met at the Vatican, discussing the situation in... Read more
After Istanbul attack, Pope prays for those who fight 'bloody stain' of terrorism
On the first day of the new year and the 50th World Day of Peace, Pope Francis condemned a terrorist... Read more
Church unity with a global focus: lessons from 'bishop school'
The Vatican holds a special seminar series each year for new bishops to help them learn their new role. Read more
