Middle East - Africa News
Maronite patriarch in talks with Lebanon’s political leaders
Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir has had several meetings with political meetings recently, urging them to resolve the current political crisis... Read more
Turkish bishops hope papal visit will help Iraqi refugee situation
The Chaldean and Syrian Catholic bishops of Turkey, Bishop Francois Yakan and Bishop Yusuf Sag, said this week they are... Read more
Newly discovered church believed to have housed Ark of the Covenant
Archaeologists claim to have uncovered one of the world's first churches, built on a site believed to have once housed... Read more
Bartholomew I: Pope’s visit will have “incalculable value” for “reconciliation process”
The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, said last week he is “convinced” that Benedict XVI’s visit to Turkey, in... Read more
Holy Father says meeting with Armenian patriarch a sign of hope for Christian unity
After a day which began with the solemn celebration of the Feast of St. Andrew with the Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch... Read more
Pope says Church in Turkey asks to live with the freedom to reveal Christ
On the last day of his Apostolic voyage to Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass for the country’s Catholic community,... Read more
Turks surprised by Pope, says bishops’ spokesman
The spokesman for the Bishops’ Conference of Turkey, Msgr. Georges Marovitch, said Turks have been surprised by the Holy Father’s... Read more
Kidnapped Iraqi priest released
Auxiliary Bishop Shlemon Warduni of Baghdad has announced the release of Father Douglas Al Bazi, who was kidnapped recently by... Read more
Pope Benedict visits Hagia Sofia and becomes second Pope to enter a mosque
On the third day of his pastoral visit to Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI visited the historic Cathedral-turned-museum Hagia Sofia, one... Read more
Pope Benedict recommits Church to working towards reunification with Orthodox
Pope Benedict XVI successfully completed his top objective today in Istanbul, joining Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in celebrating one of... Read more
Missionaries of Charity offer Muslim girls professional training
The Missionaries of Charity have launched a new professional training program for girls in Tajikistan, a predominantly Muslim country. Read more
Pope and Patriarch sign common declaration on Orthodox-Catholic relations
Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle and Patron of the Church of... Read more
Pope meets with diplomatic corps, emphasizes need for intercultural cooperation
Concluding his first day in Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI met this evening with members of the international diplomatic corps at... Read more
Pope offers message of peace before Christian minority at Mary’s house
Pope Benedict XVI left the Apostolic Nunciature in Ankara, Turkey, this morning and traveled by plane to Ephesus, where he... Read more
Benedict XVI and Bartholomew I pray in Istanbul for unity between Churches
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Istanbul this afternoon and prayed with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Patriarchal Church of... Read more
Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Turkey, “a bridge between Asia and Europe”
At 1pm Turkish-time today Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Ankara, Turkey’s Esemboğa International Airport, for his historic visit. The Pontiff... Read more
Lets us live together in harmony, peace, and trust, Pope tells Turkish religious affairs minister
Pope Benedict XVI met today with the President of the Religious Affairs Directorate of Turkey, Ali Bardakoglu. The Holy Father... Read more
Think only of the future of Lebanon, Cardinal tells mourners
Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, Patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church, appealed to the Lebanese people to show restraint in their reaction... Read more
Sales of novel on Benedict’s murder soar ahead of Pope’s visit
Sales of a controversial Turkish novel about a conspiracy to kill Pope Benedict XVI are soaring ahead of the pontiff's... Read more
Priest who spent years serving children with AIDS dies
The President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki, expressed sadness this week over the passing of Father Angelo D’Agostino, founder of one... Read more
