Middle East

The Latest

A Palestinian girl in Gaza City Jan. 9, 2020.

Gaza Exodus: Helping Christians caught in a crisis

Jan 14, 2020

By Courtney Mares

With fewer than 1,000 Christians in a population of 1.8 million, the Christian population in Palestine’s Gaza Strip today is... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the diplomatic corps Jan. 8, 2018.

Pope Francis to diplomats: Polarization hurts the poor

Jan 9, 2020

By Courtney Mares

In his annual address to diplomats Thursday, Pope Francis stressed that solidarity is needed in 2020 to overcome polarization for... Read more

US bishops and Knights of Columbus voice solidarity with Iraq, Lebanon

Nov 15, 2019

The U.S. bishops and the Knights of Columbus have professed their solidarity with the people of Iraq and Lebanon, telling... Read more

The city of Taiz in southern Yemen. Yemen / Taiz City. 2018-11-02

In UN address, Holy See voices support for ceasefire in Yemen

Oct 29, 2019

A nationwide ceasefire is essential to ease the suffering of the people of Yemen, which has been in a civil... Read more

Catholics from Syria and Iraq walk the Chartres pilgrimage June 10, 2019.

Pentecost pilgrimages in France, Middle East link Catholics in prayer

Jun 19, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Catholics walked through Syria’s Wadi al-Nasara, or “Valley of the Christians,” this Pentecost, praying the rosary, alternating between the Arabic... Read more

Pope Francis leads an ecumenical prayer gathering in Bari July 7, 2018.

In Bari, Pope decries 'murderous' indifference to a weeping Middle East

Jul 7, 2018

By Elise Harris

Joined by heads of Christian Churches in the Middle East, Pope Francis Saturday condemned the “complicit silence” and indifference of... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square March 14, 2018.

Pope Francis decries 'spiral of violence' in Middle East

May 16, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Expressing his sorrow for those who have lost their lives, Pope Francis Wednesday called for peace and dialogue in the... Read more

Martin Mosebach in Rome.

'Do you stand by what you believe?'- Mosebach on ISIS killings

Mar 3, 2018

Martin Mosebach is the author of “The 21: A Journey into the Land of the Coptic Martyrs.”  Read more

Victims of Islamic State in focus at UN forum

Nov 6, 2017

Persecuted religious minorities in Syria and Iraq deserve a better future after suffering at the hands of the Islamic State... Read more

CNA file photo

Christianity can survive in Iraq but not without your help

Nov 2, 2017

“Iraq needs aid now, or it will be without Christians,” said Fr. Luis Montes, a missionary priest has been serving... Read more

'Unbelievable' – Persecuted Christian bishops denied UK visas

Dec 8, 2016

U.K. officials drew strong criticism for denying visas to Middle East bishops from regions that have suffered Islamic State group... Read more

Pope Francis lauds Middle East effort to save local art, culture

Dec 5, 2016

Pope Francis endorsed a recent conference dedicated to the conservation and restoration of art and heritage within the Middle East,... Read more

A Christian refugee family of eight living in a construction site in Erbil, Iraq. Courtesy of International Christian Concern.

What will ensure the survival of Middle East Christians?

Oct 31, 2016

Christianity is at a crossroads in the Middle East, and only a dedicated campaign of aid and activism can help... Read more

Supreme Knight Dr. Carl A. Anderson address the 129th Knights of Columbus Supreme Convention during the States Dinner.

Carl Anderson: Christian forgiveness is the path to Middle East peace

Oct 14, 2016

Christianity is at a crossroads in the Middle East, and only a dedicated campaign of aid and activism can help... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica at the Vigil of Divine Mercy, April 2, 2016.

What the Holy See has to say about conflict in the Middle East

Jul 14, 2016

If peace is to be achieved in the Middle East, it will be a joint effort, requiring the cooperation of... Read more

Watch this video and 'wake up' from indifference to persecuted Christians

Jan 21, 2016

A video that shares the testimonies of people who have personally suffered the persecution of Christians in the Middle East... Read more

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

A prayer from the Pope – may Christians not be forced out of the Middle East

Oct 27, 2015

The sufferings of the Chaldean Catholic Church were the focus of Pope Francis on Monday when he addressed a synod... Read more

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

Pope prays for peace in the Holy Land amid escalating violence

Oct 18, 2015

By Elise Harris

Following multiple knife attacks in the Holy Land this weekend, Pope Francis has appealed for courage and strength in bringing... Read more