Middle East

The Latest

Caritas Internationalis secretary general Michel Roy speaks with CNA in Rome Sept. 17, 2014.

Weapons, low funding hinder Middle East humanitarian aid

Sep 20, 2014

By Ann Schneible

Foreign weapons and a lack of funding are among the serious challenges facing humanitarian response efforts in the Middle East,... Read more

Dr. Thomas Farr, director of the Religious Freedom Project at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs.

Promoting religious freedom is 'root' of Middle East peace

Sep 9, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

Encouraging robust religious freedom is a critical foundation for peace and stability in the Middle East, said panelists discussing the... Read more

The Interfaith Women's group in Lahore held a candlelight prayer service for victims of violence in Iraq and Gaza.

Interfaith women's group begs UN to act in Middle East

Sep 1, 2014

An inter-religious women’s group in Pakistan has appealed to the United Nations to offer support and protection for those suffering... Read more

 Javier Zanetti (C) took part in an Aug. 25, 2014 press conference about the Sept. 1 Match for Peace in Rome's Olympic stadium.

Pope Francis' interfaith soccer match shows desire for peace

Aug 25, 2014

By Elise Harris

A priest and close friend of Pope Francis says the pontiff's idea for an upcoming inter-religious soccer match for peace... Read more

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

Pope Francis issues peace plea to all Holy See embassies

Jul 30, 2014

By Elise Harris

Signed by Vatican secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a “nota verbale” was sent to all embassies accredited to the... Read more

Secretary-General Michel Roy of Caritas International speaks with CNA July 11, 2014.

Caritas leader: 'The whole Middle East is at stake'

Jul 11, 2014

By Elise Harris

The secretary-general for Caritas International has voiced his concern over the lack of aid being provided to those suffering from... Read more

Fr. Rif'at Bader participates in the Oasis foundation conference in Sarajevo, Bosnia June 17, 2014.

Shame of ongoing violence must stop, Jordanian priest affirms

Jun 17, 2014

By Elise Harris

The spokesman for the Catholic Church in Amman, Jordan, has decried the continuous bloodshed in the Middle East, expressing his... Read more

Pope Francis kisses the altar during Mass in Bethlehem's Manger Square on May 25, 2014.

Israeli, Palestinian presidents accept invitation meeting at Vatican

May 25, 2014

Today Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced that they have accepted Pope Francis’ invitation to join... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Manger Square, Bethlehem on May 25, 2014.

'Who are we before the child Jesus?' Pope reflects in Bethlehem

May 25, 2014

In his homily delivered in Bethlehem this morning, Pope Francis meditated on the role of the Christ child in the... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday General Audience, May 21, 2014.

Pope to Palestinian leaders: have courage to 'forge peace'

May 25, 2014

Pope Francis began the second day of his Holy Land pilgrimage in a meeting with Palestinian authorities, urging them to... Read more

Syrian Christian refugees.

Filmmakers draw attention to plight of Middle East Christians

Feb 19, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

Christians in the West must take seriously their duty to support those suffering in the Middle East, the birthplace of... Read more

Patriarch Louis Raphael I Sako of Baghdad of the Chaldeans.

Patriarch: Work with Muslims to promote religious freedom

Dec 15, 2013

The head of the Chaldean Catholic Church is calling on the faithful to reach out to Muslims in order to... Read more

Cardinal Theodore Mccarrick.

Religious liberty key to peace in Middle East, cardinal says

Sep 11, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

Lasting peace in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East requires respect for human rights, including a vigorous freedom... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue on August 29, 2013.

Vatican cardinal: peace among religions possible in Middle East

Aug 29, 2013

The cardinal who heads the Vatican’s interreligious dialogue department said that religious differences in the Middle East do not necessitate... Read more

CNA

US bishops support nuclear disarmament, Middle East peace efforts

Jul 2, 2013

In a letter to President Barack Obama, two leaders of the U.S. bishops voiced support for continued efforts towards nuclear... Read more

Msgr. John Kozar.

Muslims 'people of good will,' head of Catholic aid group says

Jun 21, 2013

The head of a papal agency that gives assistance to Christians in the Near East says local Muslims are largely... 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

Jerusalem.

US called on to support two-state solution in Palestine

Jan 29, 2013

A group of 30 Christian, Muslim, and Jewish religious leaders signed a statement urging the Obama administration to work for... Read more

Smoke billows skyward as homes and buildings are shelled June 9, 2012 in the city of Homs, Syria.

Syrian conflict could worsen Christian exodus

Jan 4, 2013

Fighting in Syria continues to put pressure on the minority Christian population, leading to fears that more Syrians will join... Read more

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani in prison during his first incarceration.

Iranian pastor's Christmas arrest worries religious liberty advocates

Jan 2, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

A Christian pastor who spent nearly three years in an Iranian prison for his religious conversion was reportedly arrested again... Read more