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Middle East

As ceasefire starts, first Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners return home

As ceasefire starts, first Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners return home

Judith Sudilovsky · January 20, 2025

Starting at 4 p.m. on Jan. 19, crowds of Israelis arrived at what has become known as Hostages Square in the centre of Tel Aviv to support the hostage families and watch the release screened on the giant screen in the square.
Holy Land church leaders welcome ceasefire with relief, urge delivering critical aid

Holy Land church leaders welcome ceasefire with relief, urge delivering critical aid

Junno Arocho Esteves · January 16, 2025

As news spread of a long-awaited ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, reactions from religious leaders in the region expressed hopes for peace in the Holy Land, concern for the safety of hostages as well as the people of the Gaza Strip for the past 15 months.
Vatican diplomats discuss paths toward peace in Middle East

Vatican diplomats discuss paths toward peace in Middle East

Justin McLellan · January 14, 2025

The Vatican's top diplomat met with papal representatives to various Middle Eastern countries to discuss possible avenues toward peace in the region and the state of the Catholic Church there.
In Bethlehem's empty streets, a shopkeeper fights to keep hope alive

In Bethlehem's empty streets, a shopkeeper fights to keep hope alive

Father Patrick Briscoe · December 27, 2024

Christmas marked by uncertainty as war leaves shop empty
Christians in Iraq 'tense' after Syria regime change, patriarch says

Christians in Iraq 'tense' after Syria regime change, patriarch says

Justin McLellan · December 26, 2024

After Pope Francis prayed on Christmas Day for Syrian Christians facing uncertainty amid the country's regime change, the leader of the Catholic Church in neighboring Iraq said the toppling of the regime left Christians in the region feeling "tense."
Christians protest in Syria after Christmas tree burned

Christians protest in Syria after Christmas tree burned

Gina Christian · December 25, 2024

A Christmas tree was reportedly set ablaze in a Christian-majority town in Syria, prompting protests in the war-torn nation just two weeks after the ouster of former President Bashar Assad and his regime.
Pope Francis, Palestinian president meet at Vatican

Pope Francis, Palestinian president meet at Vatican

Cindy Wooden · December 12, 2024

As the fighting in Gaza drags on, Pope Francis welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican.
Uncertain future for Christians after Syria falls

Uncertain future for Christians after Syria falls

Assad dynasty crumbles in Islamist onslaught

Susan Korah · December 11, 2024

Gunfire and shouts of jubilation echoed through the streets of Damascus, Syria’s capital, as rebel forces opposed to Bashar Assad’s government took control of the city on Dec. 7. But Christians in Syria are not ready to join the victory dance.
World must aid Syria at this 'new chapter in its rich history,' says Bishop Zaidan

World must aid Syria at this 'new chapter in its rich history,' says Bishop Zaidan

Gina Christian · December 10, 2024

The head of the U.S. Catholic bishops' international justice committee is calling on nations to help Syria after the Dec. 8 fall of the Assad dictatorship in a lightning rebel offensive.
Destruction grows daily as Israel-Hamas war enters second year, say Catholic relief agency leaders

Destruction grows daily as Israel-Hamas war enters second year, say Catholic relief agency leaders

Gina Christian · November 15, 2024

As the Israel-Hamas war enters its second year, expanding to a wider region of the Middle East, two Catholic agency leaders based in Jerusalem and Beirut are warning the conflict is decimating the populations they serve.