Syria

The Latest

Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Bishop Richard E. Pates.

US bishops join Pope in urging Sept. 7 prayer, fasting for Syria

Sep 4, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

The U.S. bishops are encouraging Catholics in the country and all those concerned about ongoing violence in Syria to join... Read more

Patriarch Gregorios III Laham.

Melkite leader says attacks on Syria would worsen situation

Sep 4, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

The leader of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church has argued that despite reported chemical attacks in Syria, foreign military intervention... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Palm Sunday Mass on March 24, 2013 in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis announces global prayer vigil for peace on Sept. 7

Sep 1, 2013

Departing from his typical reflections on the Sunday gospel, Pope Francis used his Angelus audience today to call for peace... Read more

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks on Syria at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on August 30, 2013 (State Department photo).

US weighs military action in Syria as bishops call for dialogue

Aug 30, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

Top U.S. officials say they are still considering a “narrow” military response to the reported use of chemical weapons in... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on July 7, 2013.

Pope and Jordanian king urge dialogue to end Syrian violence

Aug 29, 2013

Pope Francis met with King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan on Thursday morning, giving special attention to the... Read more

Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo, Syria.

Military involvement in Syria could spark world war, bishop warns

Aug 27, 2013

The bishop of Aleppo, Syria, has cautioned that foreign military action in the country could spark a global war, making... Read more

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

Twenty-thousand Syrian Kurds forced to take refuge in Iraq

Aug 21, 2013

Following recent clashes in Syria between al-Qaeda linked opposition groups and Kurdish forces, 20,000 Syrian refugees have fled to Iraqi... Read more

Pope Francis holds an audience with students from Jesuit-run schools in Italy and Albania in Paul VI Hall June 7, 2013.

Pope urges union of faith and charity in Middle East

Jun 21, 2013

Considering the plight of Christians in Syria and across the Middle East, Pope Francis advised aid agencies for Christians in... Read more

Syrian Christian refugees.

Vatican representative at UN pleads for end to Syria 'bloodbath'

May 16, 2013

The apostolic nuncio to the United Nations urged those with influence over the warring parties in Syria to encourage them... Read more

CNA

Kidnapped Syrian bishop in need of medicine

May 1, 2013

No news has emerged of the two kidnapped Orthodox bishops in Syria, more than a week since their disappearance, and... Read more

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York.

Cardinal Dolan urges freedom for kidnapped bishops

Apr 29, 2013

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a plea for the... Read more

Prof. Thomas Farr.

Kidnapped bishops spur call for religious freedom promotion

Apr 24, 2013

By Carl Bunderson

The recent kidnapping of two Orthodox bishops in Syria has a former diplomat urging the U.S. government to make religious... Read more

Patriarch Gregorios III Laham.

Syrian Christians begin traditional fast amid continuing violence

Aug 3, 2012

The head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church encouraged Syria's Eastern Catholics to offer prayers for peace during their church's... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict urges end to bloodshed in Syria

Jul 29, 2012

Pope Benedict XVI called for an immediate halt to “all violence and shedding of blood” in Syria during his weekly... Read more

Archbishop Samir Nassar of Damascus.

Syrian archbishop laments continued violence

Jul 18, 2012

Maronite Archbishop Samir Nassar of Damascus spoke out against the violent conflict between government and rebel forces in Syria, drawing... Read more

CNA

Patriarch hopes Lebanon papal visit will bring peace to Syria

Jul 18, 2012

Patriarch Gregorios III, head of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, said he hopes Pope Benedict's visit to Lebanon in September will... Read more

Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo, Syria

Syrian bishop says civil war not the only option

Jun 21, 2012

One of Syria's most senior Catholic bishops believes his country can still regain the path to peace and reform despite... Read more