Middle East - Africa News

UPDATED: Four sisters dead in attack on Missionaries of Charity home in Yemen

Mar 4, 2016

At least 16 people are dead after two gunmen attacked a Missionaries of Charity convent and nursing home for elderly... Read more

Children in Cameroon's Diocese of Maroua-Mokolo, where children are threatened and recruited by Boko Haram.

Is Boko Haram on the run in Nigeria?

Jan 27, 2016

The bishops of southwest Nigeria have praised the country’s apparent progress towards countering the Boko Haram insurgency.  Read more

St. Elijah's Monastery near Mosul, as it appeared in February 2005.

Satellite images confirm: Iraq's oldest monastery destroyed by Islamic State

Jan 22, 2016

St. Elijah's Monastery in Mosul dated back to the sixth century, making it the oldest Christian monastery in Iraq. Muslims... Read more

Bishop Hinder (c), Vicar Apostolic of Southern Arabia, flanked by the newly ordained Capuchin priests Fr. Manuel (L) and Fr. D'Souza (R) in Abu Dhabi, Jan. 8, 2016.

Vocations bloom in the desert: two priests are ordained in United Arab Emirates

Jan 17, 2016

Last week Catholics in Southern Arabia gathered in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the ordination of two Capuchin Franciscan priests by... Read more

Child labor, sexual abuse, death - the plight of Syrian refugees in Lebanon

Jan 14, 2016

By Matt Hadro

The life of a refugee is rarely easy. But it is particularly difficult for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, most of... Read more

Fr. Dhiya Aziz, who was liberated by his captors Jan. 4, 2016. Photo courtesy of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land.

After second abduction, Franciscan priest freed in Syria

Jan 5, 2016

By Elise Harris

Franciscan priest Fr. Dhiya Aziz, who had been briefly kidnapped by unknown jihadist militants in Syria in July and was... Read more

Jews praying at the Western Wall.

Doing the Father’s will: how Orthodox rabbis see common ground with Christians

Dec 14, 2015

A new statement from Orthodox rabbis calls for “fraternal partnership” between Christians and Jews, reflecting on their commonalities and on... Read more

Mass said at the Catholic Sanctuary of Martyrs, Namugongo, Uganda, Nov. 28, 2015.

How can we live the Year of Mercy? Suggestions from Southern Africa’s bishops

Dec 12, 2015

The Jubilee Year of Mercy is a time to reach out to others as “missionaries of God’s mercy,” the Southern... Read more

Children in the diocese of Maroua-Mokolo, Cameroon. Children there are threatened and recruited by Boko Haram.

Military action frees 900 captives of Boko Haram, Cameroon official says

Dec 4, 2015

Cameroon’s government has said a multi-national military action has freed 900 hostages of the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram.  Read more

Pope Francis opens the Holy Doors of Bangui's cathedral Nov. 29.

Seeking peace and mercy, Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of Bangui

Nov 29, 2015

“Bangui is today the spiritual capital of the world,” Pope Francis said as he opened the Holy Door of Bangui’s... Read more

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

'Can I go' to them? Pope Francis' stunning response to alleged murders

Nov 29, 2015

Reported violence near a mosque Pope Francis is slated to visit in Central African Republic caused the pontiff to reply... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to youth in CAR on Nov. 29, 2015.

Be like a banana – Pope Francis off-the-cuff to Central African youth

Nov 29, 2015

During his meeting with the youth of the Central African Republic, Pope Francis gave spontaneous comments in response to a... Read more

Pope Francis delivers his homily during Mass in the cathedral of Bangui, CAR, Nov. 29, 2015.

Christ’s love will overcome devastation, Pope Francis tells Central Africans

Nov 29, 2015

In the Central African Republic on Sunday, Pope Francis delivered a homily emphasizing that God’s powerful love can overcome “unprecedented... Read more

Central Africans gathered in Bangui to greet Pope Francis, Nov. 29, 2015.

Christians can find unity in suffering, Pope Francis tells Evangelicals in CAR

Nov 29, 2015

The path to Christian unity includes shared suffering, Pope Francis told the Central African Republic’s evangelical Christian communities on Sunday,... Read more

Children at the Saint Sauveur refugee camp in Bangui, Central African Republic, welcome Pope Francis, Nov. 29, 2015.

Pope to displaced persons: peace is impossible without tolerance, forgiveness

Nov 29, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis’ first stop after arriving in the Central African Republic Sunday was to a refugee camp housing thousands of... Read more

Ugandan youth greeted Pope Francis with welcome signs and big smiles today during a meeting at Kampala's airport.

Pope to Ugandan youth: You are a people of martyrs

Nov 28, 2015

On his last day in Uganda, Pope Francis heard testimonies of suffering from young people and praised Ugandan’s faith, which... Read more

Pope Francis addresses residents and staff at the House of Charity near Kampala, Uganda.

Pope Francis’ road map for the faith? Serve the poor.

Nov 28, 2015

The world is marked by growing indifference, but Christians cannot forget Christ’s call to serve the poor, Pope Francis stressed... Read more

Pope Francis arrives in Uganda.

Pope to Ugandan catechists: Your work is not easy. But it is important.

Nov 27, 2015

Speaking with catechists and teachers in Uganda, Pope Francis on Friday offered encouragement and stressed that witnessing the faith is... Read more

Pope Francis.

Pope praises Ugandans for helping refugees rebuild their lives

Nov 27, 2015

Pope Francis praised the Ugandan people for showing “outstanding concern” for refugees in a time when our world is witnessing... Read more

Pope Francis meets with members and beneficiaries of the Community of Sant'Egidio in Nairobi Kenya on Nov. 26, 2015. Photo courtesy: Community of Sant'Egidio.

What you have is worth more than money – the Pope to Kenya's poor

Nov 26, 2015

During his tri-nation visit to Africa this week, Pope Francis made a stop at a slum in Nairobi and praised... Read more