Syria

The Latest

Christians displaced by the Islamic State who have sought refuge in Ankawa, Erbil, Iraq.

Pope's concern for Christians in Middle East emerges at family synod

Oct 7, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

In an unexpected move, Pope Francis added to the schedule of the upcoming consistory for the causes of saints a... Read more

These children who have taken refuge from the Islamic State at St. Josef parish in Erbil, are among the 1.2 million internally displaced Iraqis.

Apostolic nuncios to Middle East will discuss aid, response to terrorists

Oct 1, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis and Vatican officials are due to meet this week with the nuncios to seven Middle Eastern nations to... Read more

Pope Francis prays at General Audience Sept. 25, 2013.

Pope: I cried over reports of crucified Christians

May 2, 2014

In his daily homily on May 2, Pope Francis said that he wept over recent news of Christians allegedly being... Read more

Sister Maria Nazareth.

Argentine nun heads to Syria after Pope's call to peripheries

Apr 30, 2014

A religious sister from Argentina, who has been serving for four years in the Gaza Strip, is preparing to go... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience, May 22, 2013.

Pope mourns 'brutal killing' of priest, urges end to violence

Apr 9, 2014

By Elise Harris

In comments made following his general audience address, Pope Francis lamented the killing of a Jesuit priest in Syria, and... Read more

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

Syrian patriarch: aid needed to calm Christian flight

Jan 29, 2014

Syria’s leading Catholic bishop has said that humanitarian aid should be increased in and near Syria to help contain Christians’... Read more

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

Lebanese bishop appeals for Christian Syrian refugees

Jan 7, 2014

Christian refugees from Syria living in Lebanon need the support of their Western counterparts, according to an Eastern Catholic bishop... Read more

Pope Francis led a prayer vigil for peace in Syria in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 7, 2013.

Argentine congress recommends Pope Francis for Nobel Peace Prize

Dec 2, 2013

Argentina’s House of Representatives has passed a resolution to nominate Pope Francis for the Nobel Peace Prize for his call... Read more

CNA

Pope Francis to meet with Vladimir Putin

Nov 11, 2013

Pope Francis will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 25 at the Vatican, according to the director of... Read more

Syrian Christians find lives 'paralyzed' by wartime chaos

Oct 7, 2013

Only peace can end the suffering of Syria’s Christian refugees, say local Christian leaders who emphasize the need to give... Read more

Sr. Selestina Kitchareon St. Paul de Chartres prays with students.

Thai faithful echo Pope's call for peace in Syria

Sep 12, 2013

Catholics throughout Thailand – joined by Buddhists and Muslims in the country – have welcomed Pope Francis’ appeals for peace... Read more

Syrians streaming into Kurdistan, Iraq on August 15, 2013.

Syrian refugees find support from Catholic Relief Services

Sep 10, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

Unable to enter refugee camps run by the United Nations, many Syrians fleeing from violence in their home country have... Read more

Cardinal Donald Wuerl.

DC cardinal highlights role of prayer in Syria resolution

Sep 9, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

Joining in a global day of prayer for peace in Syria, Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C., urged Catholics... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience, May 22, 2013.

Pope Francis continues peace appeals on Twitter

Sep 9, 2013

After a global day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria and throughout the world, Pope Francis is continuing... Read more

Bishop James D. Conley in Rome, Italy, May 4, 2012.

Taking sides in Syria conflict 'unreasonable,' bishop says

Sep 9, 2013

Bishop James D. Conley of Lincoln says that a solution to the violence in Syria must be achieved, not through... Read more

Pope Francis reflects before an image of Mary at the Sept. 7 prayer vigil for peace.

Embrace peace, Pope tells massive prayer vigil

Sep 7, 2013

Addressing myriad people in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis denounced war as a “defeat for humanity” and called on world leaders... Read more

Rep. Chris Smith.

War crimes tribunal suggested as alternative to strike on Syria

Sep 6, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

A ranking member of the U.S. House has proposed a war crimes tribunal as an alternative to military intervention in... Read more

The participants of the G20 Leaders Summit have arrived at their first working meeting Sept 5, 2013.

Pope asks world leaders to reject 'futile' military action in Syria

Sep 5, 2013

As world leaders meet in St. Petersburg, Russia, for the G20 summit, Pope Francis has sent a message urging against... Read more

Pope Francis leads Eucharistic Adoration at St. Peter's Basilica, June 2, 2013.

Pope’s vigil for Syrian peace expected to be biggest in decades

Sep 5, 2013

A four-hour prayer vigil in St. Peter's Square for peace in Syria, initiated by Pope Francis and to be held... Read more

Fr. Federico Lombardi at the Vatican Press Office October 26, 2012.

Vatican rejects report that Pope Francis telephoned Assad

Sep 5, 2013

A Vatican official denied a news story that claimed that Pope Francis had telephoned the Syrian president, Bashar Al-Assad.  Read more