Damascus

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A moment of prayer during the procession through the narrow streets of the Christian quarter of Bab-Touma (St. Paul) in the Old City of Damascus on July 9, 2023, in celebration of the liturgical feast of the Martyrs of Damascus.

Joy in Syria: Pope Francis gives ‘green light’ for canonization of ‘Martyrs of Damascus’

May 23, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

The Vatican has announced that eight Franciscan friars and three laymen who were killed for their faith in Syria will... Read more

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri (front row, sixth from left) with Syrian Catholic Church leaders.

Pope Francis donates $170,000 to Catholic Church in Syria

Oct 28, 2021

The country’s civil war has claimed more than 350,000 lives since 2011. Read more

Archbishop John Jihad Battah, Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Damascus, Syria, at the Vatican. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez.

Catholic archbishop of Damascus appeals for Syrians to return home

Feb 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

As the 10th anniversary of the start of the Syrian war approaches, the Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Damascus is appealing... Read more

Maronite Archbishop Samir Nassar of Damascus.

Syrian bishop narrowly avoids death in bombing

Jan 15, 2018

A bomb fell in the bedroom of the Maronite Archbishop of Damascus last week. He was spared death, he says,... Read more

Syrian Christians, building cemeteries instead of schools

Oct 27, 2014

As the civil war in Syria continues its fourth year, Christians who remain in the country’s capital are finding it... Read more