Articles by Elise Harris
Vatican releases schedule for Pope's trip to Albania
Jul 31, 2014 / 06:46 amPope Francis will make a one-day trip to Albania in September, during which he is slated to meet with local authorities, priests and religious as well as children from charitable institutions.
Christians a fundamental part of Iraq, ambassador observes
Jul 31, 2014 / 04:16 amThe Iraqi ambassador to the Holy See has lamented the ongoing persecution of Christians by ISIS forces in Iraq, stating that they are an important and historic part of the country’s origins.
Pope Francis issues peace plea to all Holy See embassies
Jul 30, 2014 / 07:04 amSigned by Vatican secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a “nota verbale” was sent to all embassies accredited to the Holy See on behalf of Pope Francis, who urged ambassadors to work for peace.
Violence in Nigeria has 'no boundaries' now, archbishop says
Jul 25, 2014 / 11:33 amIn wake of two bombings this week in Nigeria, targeting both an Islamic scholar and a senior politician, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama has called for greater proactive efforts to identify all violent groups.
Meriam Ibrahim lands in Rome, meets with Pope Francis
Jul 24, 2014 / 05:44 amA Sudanese woman spared of a death sentence for refusing to renounce her Christian faith arrived in Rome with her family Thursday, where they met with Pope Francis a few hours after landing.
Pope Francis to meet with 20 young Asian leaders
Jul 23, 2014 / 07:22 amDuring his upcoming apostolic voyage to South Korea Pope Francis is slated to meet with 20 Asian youth during the 2014 Asia Youth Day, including Korean pop-star BoA.
Pope Francis calls Syro-Catholic patriarch, assures of his prayers
Jul 22, 2014 / 09:54 amAccording an Italian Catholic new organization, Pope Francis made a phone call to Patriarch Ignatius Youssef III Younan over the weekend to reassure him of his continued prayers for Iraqi Christians.
Schedule for Pope Francis' Caserta visit released
Jul 22, 2014 / 03:49 amThe Vatican has released Pope Francis’ schedule for the first of his two day-trips to the Italian city of Caserta, where he will later meet an evangelical pastor and friend from his time in Buenos Aires.
Pope laments exodus of last Christians from Mosul
Jul 21, 2014 / 04:55 amIn his weekly Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis mourned the fleeing of the last Christians from the Iraqi city of Mosul, who were told by ISIS forces last week to either convert, pay the Jizya tax or leave.
Pope laments loss of innocent life in Malaysian plane crash
Jul 18, 2014 / 09:16 amFollowing the crash of a Malaysian passenger plane in eastern Ukraine yesterday, Pope Francis has offered prayers for the victims, urging all parties involved in the country’s conflict to work for peace.
Pope Francis makes phone call to Israel, Palestine presidents
Jul 18, 2014 / 07:04 amIn wake of the rising death toll in Gaza due to increased tensions between Israel and Palestine, Pope Francis made a personal call to the country’s presidents in order to ask for peace.
Polygamy, gender identity seen as key challenges for families in Africa
Jul 18, 2014 / 05:19 amRepresentatives from the Pontifical Council for the Family gathered in the Congo with over 40 bishops last week to discuss the state of families in Africa, highlighting both strengths and challenges they face.
Pope Francis to make two trips to Italian city of Caserta
Jul 17, 2014 / 06:52 amThe Vatican confirmed today that Pope Francis will travel twice to the city where an evangelical pastor from Buenos Aires is living in order to meet with local Catholics in addition to visiting his old friend.
Chaldean patriarch: current state of Iraq is 'chaos'
Jul 17, 2014 / 04:54 amPatriarch Louis Raphael I Sako of Iraq has written a letter urging government officials to “waste no more time” in electing new leaders, and lamented the grim possibility of finding a peaceful solution to conflict.
Faith leaders join in condemnation of UK assisted dying bill
Jul 16, 2014 / 13:18 pmVarious religious leaders have joined their voices to denounce a bill seeking to legalize assisted suicide for the terminally ill in parts of the U.K., stating that doing so violates human dignity and opens the door to coercion.
Pope denounces 'racist, xenophobic' attitudes toward immigrants
Jul 15, 2014 / 03:21 amIn his message for the Mexico-Holy See Colloquium on Migration and Development Pope Francis called for a change in the way migrants, especially unaccompanied children, are viewed.
Pope's audience with elderly to explore vocation of old age
Jul 14, 2014 / 08:04 amOrganizers for the first-ever audience to be held between a pope and the elderly population have revealed that a central reflection will be the active vocation of the aged in the Church and in society.
Nigerian archbishop calls for government rescue of schoolgirls
Jul 14, 2014 / 04:24 amAmid government reports that the nearly 200 girls kidnapped in Chibok could be home soon, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama has called the country’s leaders to follow through with their promises.
Pope Francis prays for peace during Angelus
Jul 13, 2014 / 06:35 amFollowing his reflections on the Sunday’s Gospel parable of the sower and the seed, Pope Francis called for peace in the Holy Land, asking participants to join him in a moment of silent prayer.
Caritas leader: 'The whole Middle East is at stake'
Jul 11, 2014 / 08:42 amThe secretary-general for Caritas International has voiced his concern over the lack of aid being provided to those suffering from conflicts, urging the faithful to get involved and break the “cycle of indifference.”