Refugees

The Latest

Pope Francis in an in-flight press conference Jan. 18, 2015.

Full Text of Pope Francis' in-flight interview from Lesbos to Rome

Apr 16, 2016

Pope Francis on Saturday spoke with journalists about his visit with refugees at Lesbos and about the family crisis.  Read more

Pope Francis meets with refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos April 16, 2016.

In Greece, Pope Francis tells migrants 'you are not alone'

Apr 16, 2016

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis had a simple message for the thousands of refugees now staying on the Greek island of Lesbos: you... Read more

Hamlet.

Shakespeare's Hamlet swings by the Vatican

Apr 15, 2016

By Ann Schneible

They’ve performed for school children in Cambodia and refugees in Jordan. They’ve visited nearly 200 countries in the last two... Read more

Sabriya Yaqubi and her daughter Hasti at the Caritas Athens Refugee Centre in Athens, Greece.

Could Pope Francis' visit to Greece be a game-changer for refugees?

Apr 15, 2016

By Kevin J. Jones

Pope Francis’ visit with refugees and migrants in Greece this Saturday could be a moment of leadership at a time... Read more

Pope Francis at the weekly general audience Apr 13, 2016.

Ahead of Greece trip, Pope Francis asks for prayers

Apr 13, 2016

With a last-minute trip to Lesbos just days away, Pope Francis remembered the refugees and residents of the Greek island... Read more

Pope Francis embraces a pilgrim during the General Audience at the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, Jan. 13, 2016.

Pope Francis sends vestments, financial aid to Iraqi Christians

Mar 31, 2016

By Elise Harris

As a sign of affection and closeness, Pope Francis has decided to send vestments used in the liturgy and a... Read more

Syrian Refugees.

Five years into the Syrian Civil War, a look at those who've fled

Mar 15, 2016

March 15 marks five years since civil war broke out in Syria. The conflict has had devastating consequences for the... Read more

Migrants in Greece. The arrival in Europe of more than 1 million migrants and refugees in 2015 sparked a wave of nationalism.

Europe's 'new nationalism' is problematic, Austrian cardinal warns

Jan 19, 2016

By Elise Harris

The Archbishop of Vienna has warned that as Europe’s migrant crisis reaches a fever pitch, the continent risks falling into... Read more

Child labor, sexual abuse, death - the plight of Syrian refugees in Lebanon

Jan 14, 2016

By Matt Hadro

The life of a refugee is rarely easy. But it is particularly difficult for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, most of... Read more

Migrants in Europe.

Compassion vs. security: What to do with Syrian refugees?

Dec 21, 2015

By Matt Hadro

As the U.S. plans to increase its intake of Syrian refugees to 10,000 next year, Americans – including Catholics –... Read more

Pope Francis.

Pope praises Ugandans for helping refugees rebuild their lives

Nov 27, 2015

Pope Francis praised the Ugandan people for showing “outstanding concern” for refugees in a time when our world is witnessing... Read more

Migrants in Europe.

Compassion vs. security: What to do with Syrian refugees?

Nov 24, 2015

By Matt Hadro

As the U.S. plans to increase its intake of Syrian refugees to 10,000 next year, Americans – including Catholics –... Read more

Syrian refugees on the Slovenian Austrian border.

Canada can do better, bishops say in wake of refugee crisis

Nov 13, 2015

Allow yourself to be troubled by the plight of migrants and refugees around the world – this was the message... Read more

Refugee children at a Refugee Camp in Iraq.

Knights of Columbus sending one month of food to Erbil refugees

Sep 8, 2015

This month, the Knights of Columbus will provide food to some 13,500 families in Erbil who have been displaced by... Read more

Pope Francis visits the Brazilian community of Varginha July 25, 2013.

Pope: all European churches to welcome refugees during Year of Mercy

Sep 6, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis Sunday issued a strong appeal to the entire European Church – including the Vatican – to take in... Read more

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

To welcome refugees is a witness of the resurrection, Pope says

Aug 6, 2015

By Elise Harris

On the first anniversary of the arrival of Iraqi refugees in Jordan, Pope Francis sent a letter thanking the country... 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

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

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