Syria

The Latest

Migrants in Europe.

Aid for Syrian refugee crisis falls far short, Congress told

Oct 22, 2015

Although numerous countries and organizations are working together and putting billions of dollars into relief efforts, “the scale of suffering... Read more

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

Pope Francis mourns death of 71 migrants who suffocated in abandoned truck

Aug 30, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis lamented the death of 71 migrants – mostly from war-torn Syria – whose... Read more

Jean-Clement Jeanbart, Melkite Archbishop of Aleppo, speaks at the KoC Conference in Philadelphia, while Bashar Warda, Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil, looks on, Aug. 4, 2015.

If you won't help our people stay, help them leave - Catholic bishops from the Middle East

Aug 5, 2015

By Mary Farrow

Catholic archbishops from Iraq and Syria said Tuesday that while they hope to help their people stay in the Middle... Read more

Franciscan priest abducted in Syria set free by captors

Jul 15, 2015

The organization of Franciscan missionaries serving in the Holy Land announced that Father Dhiya Aziz, who had been kidnapped early... Read more

Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, prefect of the papal household, greets Russian president Vladimir Putin upon his arrival at the Vatican, June 10, 2015.

Ukraine crisis the focal point in Pope's discussion with Putin

Jun 10, 2015

By Elise Harris

In the second meeting between Pope Francis and Russian president Vladimir Putin, held on Wednesday at the Vatican, the discussion... Read more

Msgr. Segundo Tejado Munoz, undersecretary of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, with refugee children in Iraq, March 28, 2015.

How the Holy See is using diplomacy to aid Christians in the Middle East

Apr 8, 2015

In the face of increased persecution of Christians in the Middle East, the Holy See's diplomatic arm is developing a... Read more

Candle Vigil.

Amid war in Syria, Catholic patriarch says Easter offers path of hope

Apr 7, 2015

Citing St. Paul’s conversion on the Road to Damascus, an Eastern Catholic patriarch’s Easter message repeated a call for peace... Read more

Thousands of Syrians streamed across a bridge over the Tigris River, entering Iraq on Thursday, August 15, 2013.

Turkish border closed as Christian hostages in Syria spike to 250

Feb 26, 2015

By Elise Harris

The number of ISIS hostages in Syria has increased to at least 250 after continued attacks on Christian villages, and... Read more

Patriarch Ignatius Joseph III Younan ordains a Syro-Catholic priest in Istanbul, Turkey Nov. 28, 2014.

Patriarch urges prayer after at least 90 Christians kidnapped in Syria

Feb 24, 2015

By Elise Harris

With reports circulating saying that ISIS forces have kidnapped at least 90 Christians from villages in northeast Syria, Patriarch Ignatius... Read more

After pilot's heinous execution, Jordan's Christians pray for religious harmony

Feb 4, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

Christians in Jordan have responded to the Islamic State's gruesome execution of a captured Jordanian pilot with sorrow, calling for... Read more

An Iraqi Christian refugee at a church shelter in Jordan, Oct. 28, 2014.

Can Christians survive the 'dirty games' of Middle East politics?

Jan 30, 2015

By Kevin J. Jones

Christians have lived in the Middle East since the time of the apostles, but political machinations by world powers and... Read more

Christian refugees from Iraq and Syria in Jordan.

In Jordan, Church works to assist refugees, protect youth from extremism

Jan 8, 2015

For years the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been a haven for refugees from Iraq. However, a critical limit is... 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

The delegation of Australian bishops visiting refugees in Iraq, Lebanon later this month.

Catholics in Australia to observe day of solidarity with Middle East brethren

Dec 3, 2014

The Australian bishops have declared that Dec. 7 will be a day of solidarity throughout the country with Christians in... Read more

Syrian refugee Sarah, 14, displays a painting she made for Pope Francis.

Young Syrian refugee tells Pope, 'pray for us and pray for peace'

Currently a living as a refugee at a Salesian school in Istanbul, 14-year-old Sarah will give Pope Francis a picture... Read more

Refugee child in Ankaway, Erbil at the opening of his tent_Catholic News Agency.

Knights donate $2 million for Middle East refugee housing

Nov 20, 2014

By Matt Hadro

The Knights of Columbus is putting more than $2 million toward new homes for Iraqi and Syrian refugees fleeing violence,... Read more

Syrian refugee and Caritas Jordan volunteer Amer Fahd Al Naser, his wife Noor and their sons at their apartment in Jordan, Oct. 27, 2014.

Amid Syrian refugee relief, Christians and Muslims find fellowship

Nov 20, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

A Syrian Muslim refugee aided by the Catholic relief agency Caritas Jordan now volunteers to help other refugees, saying the... Read more

Syrian refugees who have settled in Qaa, a village in Lebanon's Bekaa province.

Refugees, displaced take center stage at Middle East consistory

Oct 22, 2014

By Elise Harris

At Monday's consistory on the Middle East, patriarchs gathered to discuss the threats facing local Christians, and focused on the... Read more

Cardinals pray together at a Feb. 22, 2014 consistory.

A Middle East without Christians - cardinals consider sad prospect

Oct 20, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Monday's consistory of cardinals focused on the plight of Christians in the Middle East, especially in light of the rise... Read more

Fr. Hanna Jallouf, O.F.M., who was abducted Oct. 5 along with some 20 villagers from Qunaya, Syria. Photo courtesy of Custodia Terrae Sanctae.

Franciscan priest, Christian villagers abducted by Syrian militants

Oct 7, 2014

Militants linked to al-Nusra Front kidnapped a Catholic parish priest and as many as 20 people from a Christian village... Read more