Middle East

The Latest

Pope Francis bowed in prayer in St. Peter's Basilica on September 2, 2015.

Pope Francis leads synod in praying for peace in the Middle East

Oct 9, 2015

By Elise Harris

This morning, Pope Francis offered one of the synod’s daily moments of prayer for peace in the Middle East, and... Read more

Pope Francis at the Vatican on April 3, 2014.

No one can play dumb on what's happening in the Middle East, Pope says

Sep 18, 2015

By Elise Harris

While the international community can't seem to find solutions to the current crisis ravaging the Middle East, thanks to the... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Israeli president Reuven Rivlin in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, Sept. 3, 2015.

Pope Francis to Israeli president: 'the challenge is to unite'

Sep 3, 2015

Pope Francis held an audience with Israeli president Reuven Rivlin on Thursday, where they exchanged gifts and discussed efforts to... 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 unveil new campaign to aid Middle East Christians

Jul 27, 2015

As Christians continue to face unprecedented persecution – especially in the Middle East – the Knights of Columbus have announced... Read more

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

For Middle East Christians, UN indifference is deadly

Mar 5, 2015

Inaction on the part of the United Nations and international community toward the brutality of ISIS has drawn criticism from... Read more

Man in church.

A Middle East without Christians: advocates call for action before it's too late

Feb 25, 2015

By Matt Hadro

Middle Eastern Christian communities face extinction, and the results for the stability and peace of the region would be devastating,... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for all cardinals and bishops who died in the last year, Nov. 3, 2014.

Pope pleads with Middle East churches to address crisis together

Dec 13, 2014

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis addressed the increasing challenges caused by violence in the Middle East with members of the Syriac Catholic Church,... Read more

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

'Every five minutes, a Christian dies in the Middle East'

Dec 12, 2014

Fr. Gabriel Nadaf is a priest of the Greek Orthodox Church. He lives in Nazareth and faces death threats for... Read more

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley.

Award praises OKC archbishop's 'rallying cry' against black mass

Dec 5, 2014

Oklahoma City’s Archbishop Paul Coakley has received a Catholic leadership award for his prominent opposition to a satanic black mass... Read more

Inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, May 23, 2014.

How Christian division hampers peace, reconciliation in Holy Land

Dec 3, 2014

The lack of unity among Christians is one of the factors that keeps them from playing a mediatory role in... Read more

A view of Jerusalem with the Dome of the Rock and the Wailing Wall.

Archbishop decries Jerusalem car attacks: 'We are acting like savages'

Nov 6, 2014

By Elise Harris

A Melkite-Greek Catholic archbishop has lamented recent car attacks in Jerusalem, saying that such actions are inhuman and tear down... Read more

Syrian Christian refugees.

Sheer 'barbarism' against Middle East families must end

Oct 11, 2014

The Synod of Bishops on Friday denounced “barbaric” violence in the Middle East, saying the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt... Read more

Saint Peter's Sqaure.

Vatican advocates sweeping protocol for Middle East peace

Oct 4, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin is urging a comprehensive road map for peace in Middle East during meetings... Read more

Indian Chaplaincy procession on feast of Nativity of Mary.

Indian migrants in Holy Land unite to celebrate Marian feast

Sep 24, 2014

Thousands of Indian migrants and other pilgrims in the Holy Land celebrated a special Marian feast day with displays of... Read more

Andre Houssney speaks at the Aquinas Institute for Catholic Thought in Boulder, Colorado on Sept. 18, 2014.

The Middle East: A deficiency of love, says Lebanese speaker

Sep 23, 2014

Beneath the complex and violent situation in the Middle East lies a deficiency of love, said Lebanese-born Christian André Houssney... Read more

Caritas Internationalis secretary general Michel Roy speaks with CNA in Rome Sept. 17, 2014.

Weapons, low funding hinder Middle East humanitarian aid

Sep 20, 2014

By Ann Schneible

Foreign weapons and a lack of funding are among the serious challenges facing humanitarian response efforts in the Middle East,... Read more

Dr. Thomas Farr, director of the Religious Freedom Project at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs.

Promoting religious freedom is 'root' of Middle East peace

Sep 9, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

Encouraging robust religious freedom is a critical foundation for peace and stability in the Middle East, said panelists discussing the... Read more

The Interfaith Women's group in Lahore held a candlelight prayer service for victims of violence in Iraq and Gaza.

Interfaith women's group begs UN to act in Middle East

Sep 1, 2014

An inter-religious women’s group in Pakistan has appealed to the United Nations to offer support and protection for those suffering... Read more

 Javier Zanetti (C) took part in an Aug. 25, 2014 press conference about the Sept. 1 Match for Peace in Rome's Olympic stadium.

Pope Francis' interfaith soccer match shows desire for peace

Aug 25, 2014

By Elise Harris

A priest and close friend of Pope Francis says the pontiff's idea for an upcoming inter-religious soccer match for peace... Read more

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

Pope Francis issues peace plea to all Holy See embassies

Jul 30, 2014

By Elise Harris

Signed by Vatican secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a “nota verbale” was sent to all embassies accredited to the... Read more