Catholic Church in Iraq

The Latest

 Wael Farouq, professor of Arabic language at the American University of Cairo, Egypt at the Rimini Meeting Aug 27, 2014.

Muslim scholar decries violence: 'I am a Nazarene, too'

Aug 28, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Referring to the label “Nazarene” marked on houses of Christians in Iraq by the militant Islamic State, a Muslim scholar... Read more

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

Papal envoy: we must see humanity of each Iraqi refugee

Aug 27, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The international community must view suffering Iraqi refugees not as a collective group, but as individual persons, each with his... Read more

A family at the Khazair checkpoint after fleeing from Mosul, Iraq on June 11, 2014.

Chilean lawmakers ask president to denounce Iraqi violence

Aug 26, 2014

The Chilean Congress has unanimously approved a measure calling on President Michelle Bachelet to condemn “the brutal persecution” of Christians... Read more

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

Iraqi refugees in desperate need of aid, relief worker says

Aug 26, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

As summer comes to a close and colder temperatures approach, Iraqi refugees will increasingly rely upon the international community to... Read more

Auxiliary Bishop Saad Syroub Hanna of Baghdad.

Baghdad bishop: Take a 'real' challenge by praying

Aug 25, 2014

A bishop in Baghdad is challenging the faithful across the world to join in 30 minutes of prayer before the... Read more

James Foley. Photo courtesy of Marquette University.

Marquette professor recalls James Foley as 'bright light'

Aug 22, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

Executed journalist James Foley was fearless in his quest to advance justice in the world, and his courage inspired many... Read more

Pope Francis praying.

Pope calls family of US journalist James Foley

Aug 21, 2014

Pope Francis has called the family of U.S. journalist James Foley, who was beheaded by ISIS militants earlier this week,... Read more

  Pope Francis speaks with journalists on the papal plane on the return flight to Rome August 18, 2014.

Full transcript of Pope's in-flight interview from Korea

Speaking to journalists aboard the Aug. 18 flight to Italy from South Korea, Pope Francis said he supports international intervention... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea, August 14, 2014.

Pope Francis backs intervention in Iraq to stop 'aggressor'

Aug 18, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones, Alan Holdren

Pope Francis supports international intervention in Iraq and is willing to go to there personally if it will help end... Read more

A young refugee rests after having fled from ISIS and arrived in Ankawa in the northern part of Erbil, Iraq.

Knights of Columbus will match donations to aid persecuted Iraqis

Aug 12, 2014

The Knights of Columbus have established a matching fund to assist Christians and other religious minorities facing severe persecution or... Read more

Pope Francis.

Pope Francis takes to Twitter in appeal for Iraqi citizens

Aug 11, 2014

By Elise Harris

Since Friday Pope Francis has been tweeting three times a day asking faithful and parishes to both pray for those... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Wednesday general audience in St. Peters Square Oct. 2, 2013.

Pope appeals for peace in Iraq, Gaza during Sunday angelus

Aug 10, 2014

By Elise Harris

After leading faithful in the Marian prayer, Pope Francis again urged prayers and international help for the current conflict in... Read more

Refugees from Iraq fled their homes and now take shelter at a refugee camp.

Priest from Nineveh: 'Christianity is finished in Iraq'

Aug 8, 2014

By Elise Harris

A priest hailing from what used to be Iraq’s largest Christian city has lamented the exodus of over 100,000 Christians... Read more

President Barack Obama addresses the nation from Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, May 1, 2012. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.

Obama authorizes Iraq airstrikes to prevent religious genocide

Aug 8, 2014

By Elise Harris

Late Thursday night the Obama administration announced that it has launched a military and humanitarian operation to protect both U.S.... Read more

Iraq Archbishop Louis Sako.

Iraqi Christians facing risk of genocide, patriarch warns

Aug 7, 2014

The seizure of Iraq’s largest Christian town has prompted a mass exodus of refugees, which a leading Catholic bishop described... Read more

Iraqi ambassador to the Holy See Habeeb H.M. Al-Sadr speaks with CNA July 24, 2014.

Christians a fundamental part of Iraq, ambassador observes

Jul 31, 2014

By Elise Harris

The Iraqi ambassador to the Holy See has lamented the ongoing persecution of Christians by ISIS forces in Iraq, stating... Read more

United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

Petition calls on UN to stop Christian genocide in Iraq

Jul 29, 2014

Following the expulsion of Christians from the Iraqi city of Mosul by ISIS jihadists, a new petition calls on the... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peters Square during his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis calls Syro-Catholic patriarch, assures of his prayers

Jul 22, 2014

By Elise Harris

According an Italian Catholic new organization, Pope Francis made a phone call to Patriarch Ignatius Youssef III Younan over the... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience May 28, 2014.

Pope laments exodus of last Christians from Mosul

Jul 21, 2014

By Elise Harris

In his weekly Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis mourned the fleeing of the last Christians from the Iraqi city of... Read more

Iraq Archbishop Louis Sako.

Chaldean patriarch: current state of Iraq is 'chaos'

Jul 17, 2014

By Elise Harris

Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako of Iraq has written a letter urging government officials to “waste no more time” in... Read more