Syria

The Latest

Syrian refugee.

Catholic campaign to aid Syrian children who ‘have known nothing but war’

Mar 14, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the start of the Syrian war, the Catholic charity Caritas has launched a campaign... Read more

Pope Francis gives a blessing after his Angelus address on Aug. 30, 2020.

Pope Francis prays for 'martyred Syria' on eve of 10th anniversary of war

Mar 14, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis urged the world not to forget the ongoing suffering of the “martyred” people of Syria on the eve... Read more

Archbishop John Jihad Battah, Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Damascus, Syria, at the Vatican. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez.

Catholic archbishop of Damascus appeals for Syrians to return home

Feb 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

As the 10th anniversary of the start of the Syrian war approaches, the Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Damascus is appealing... Read more

Pope Francis, pictured on October 4, 2014.

Pope Francis offers support to beleaguered Christians of Syria and Iraq

Dec 11, 2020

Pope Francis urged Catholic charities Thursday to continue supporting embattled Christian minorities in Syria and Iraq.  Read more

Child standing in front of ruined building in Syria.

Remember Syrians this Christmas

Dec 9, 2020

By Matt Hadro

Do not forget the suffering Christians in Syria, a member of a pontifical aid foundation implored officials from the U.S.,... Read more

Cardinal Mario Zenari in St. Peter's Basilica on Nov. 19, 2016.

Cardinal tells diplomats: 11 million Syrians need humanitarian aid

Oct 15, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The apostolic nuncio to Syria met with diplomats accredited to the Vatican Thursday to inform them that an estimated 11... Read more

The Syrian flag.

Cardinal says Syria has been hit with a ‘poverty bomb’

Sep 18, 2020

By Courtney Mares

After nearly 10 years of war, the Syrian people have now been hit with a “poverty bomb” amid the coronavirus... Read more

Fr. Edward Tamer, a Franciscan friar who has died of COVID-19 at the age of 83. Photos courtesy of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land.

‘I will die with them and for them’: Franciscan friar who survived Syrian War dies of COVID-19

Sep 17, 2020

By Courtney Mares

When asked by his superior if he wanted to leave Aleppo during the Syrian Civil War, Fr. Edward Tamer replied... Read more

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey.

Syrian government to build replica of Hagia Sophia

Jul 30, 2020

The government of Syria plans to build a replica of Hagia Sophia, with support from Russia, as a protest against... Read more

Fr. Paolo Dall'Oglio, pictured in Rome Sept. 6, 2012.

Kidnapped priest remembered for his love of Syrian people

Jul 29, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Seven years after his kidnapping in Syria, Fr. Paolo Dall’Oglio was remembered in Rome Wednesday for his love of the... Read more

The restored Maronite Cathedral of St. Elijah in Aleppo, Syria.

Catholic cathedral in Syria that survived missile attacks reopens after restoration

Jul 20, 2020

A Catholic cathedral that was repeatedly struck by missiles amid the Syrian civil war was due to reopen Monday following... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at his Angelus address June 7, 2020.

Pope Francis commends UN Security Council for global ceasefire resolution

Jul 5, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis applauded the United Nations Security Council Sunday for its recent resolution calling for an immediate global ceasefire amid... Read more

Mary Sayegh.

Syria’s Hidden Victims - Mary Sayegh

Apr 30, 2020

The Syrian civil war has led to one of the largest refugee crises of modern times, and presented unique problems... Read more

Seta Kale. Courtesy photo.

Syria’s Hidden Victims - Seta Kale

Mar 22, 2020

The Syrian civil war has led to one of the largest refugee crises of modern times, and presented unique problems... Read more

Image of pilgrims holding a sign supporting those suffering in Idlib, Syria, during the Sunday Angelus, March 8, 2020.

Make Syria ‘priority’ over ‘every other interest’ says Pope Francis

Mar 8, 2020

Pope Francis issued a plea to the international community to halt the violence and mounting death toll in the Syrian... Read more

Samer Hanna. Courtesy: Philos Project.

Syria’s Hidden Victims - Samer Hanna

Feb 21, 2020

Marginalized for centuries, persecuted by ISIS, afraid to attract any attention from the West, Syrian Christians remain, by most accounts,... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 14, 2018.

Pope Francis appeals for displaced women and children in Syria

Feb 9, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis appealed Sunday for the protection of women and children fleeing violence in northwestern Syria as more than half... Read more

Patriarchs, cardinals, politicians, and Christians from across the globe at the International Conference on Christian Persecution

International Conference on Christian Persecution convenes in Budapest

Nov 26, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Patriarchs, cardinals, politicians, and Christians from across the globe are in Budapest this week for the International Conference on Christian... Read more

Armenian Catholic priest killed in Syria; ISIS claims responsibility

Nov 12, 2019

The Islamic State (ISIS) militant group on Monday claimed responsibility for the shooting of an Armenian Catholic priest and his... Read more

Smoke rises over the Syrian town of Tel Abyad on the Turkish border Oct. 13, 2019.

Pope Francis prays for ‘beloved and tormented’ Syria

Oct 13, 2019

By Courtney Mares

As Turkish-led forces began the fifth day of their move against Kurdish militias in northeastern Syria Sunday, Pope Francis appealed... Read more