Middle East - Africa News
Scammer arrested after attempt to sell Turkish basilica
Turkish authorities have arrested a scam artist who reportedly attempted to claim ownership of and sell a famous Catholic basilica... Read more
Bishop appointed for S Sudan's Rumbek diocese after nearly 10 years' vacancy
Father Christian Carlassare, who was appointed Bishop of Rumbek on Monday, nearly 10 years since the death of the diocese’s... Read more
Full text: Pope Francis’ in-flight press conference from Iraq
Please read below for CNA’s full transcript of Pope Francis’ in-flight press conference from Baghdad, Iraq to Rome, Italy on... Read more
Pope Francis blesses Marian statue desecrated by Islamic State
A statue of the Virgin Mary that had been desecrated by the Islamic State was present at Pope Francis’ Mass... Read more
Pope Francis confirms plans to go to Hungary for International Eucharistic Congress
Pope Francis on Monday confirmed that he planned to visit Hungary for the closing Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress,... Read more
‘This is the pure Gospel’: Pope Francis moved by Iraqi Christians’ witness
Pope Francis said Monday that the sight of the destroyed churches and ruins in Mosul and the Nineveh Plains in... Read more
Pope Francis: Meeting with Iraq’s top Shiite cleric offered ‘universal message’ of fraternity
On his flight to Rome from Baghdad on Monday, Pope Francis said that Iraq’s top Shiite cleric is a “humble and... Read more
Pope Francis returns historic prayer book saved from Islamic State to the Nineveh Plains
During his trip to Iraq, Pope Francis returned a historic Aramaic prayer manuscript which was restored after the Islamic State... Read more
Pope Francis in Iraq meets with father whose children died as refugees in shipwreck
Pope Francis met Sunday with a father who lost his wife and two children in a shipwreck as Syrian war... Read more
Full text: Pope Francis’ homily at Mass in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil
Here is the full text of Pope Francis’ homily, delivered March 7, 2021, in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil,... Read more
Pope Francis in Erbil: ‘Today I can see at first hand that the Church in Iraq is alive’
Pope Francis on Sunday expressed joy at the vitality of the Church in Iraq despite years of fierce persecution. Read more
Full text: Pope Francis’ Angelus address in the Nineveh Plains
Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ Angelus address, delivered March 7, 2021, in Bakhdida (Qaraqosh), Iraq. Read more
Pope Francis in the Nineveh Plains: ‘Terrorism and death never have the last word’
Pope Francis entrusted the rebuilding of Christian communities in the Nineveh Plains to the protection of the Virgin Mary at... Read more
Full text: Pope Francis’ prayer of suffrage for the victims of war in Mosul
Here is the full text of Pope Francis’ prayer of suffrage for the victims of the war, delivered March 7, 2021,... Read more
Pope Francis prays for victims of war in ruins of Mosul
Pope Francis prayed on Sunday for the victims of war in the rubble-strewn city of Mosul, where the Islamic State... Read more
Iraqi PM declares national day of tolerance in honor of papal meeting with top Shiite cleric
Iraq’s prime minister on Saturday declared March 6 a National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence in honor of Pope Francis’ landmark... Read more
Full text: Pope Francis’ address at an interreligious meeting in the Plain of Ur
Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ address at an interreligious meeting, delivered March 6, 2021, in the... Read more
Pope Francis appeals for interreligious harmony at birthplace of Abraham
Pope Francis on Saturday appealed for harmony among the followers of the world’s major monotheistic religions at an interreligious meeting... Read more
Pope Francis makes landmark visit to Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani
Pope Francis on Saturday made a landmark visit to the home of Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Read more
Papal Mass in Erbil 'nothing short of a miracle'
When Vida Hanna was told by the Archbishop Bashar Warda of the Chaldean Archeparchy of Erbil that Pope Francis was... Read more
