Middle East - Africa News
Lebanon elects Gen. Joseph Aoun as president amid divided Christian bloc
Lebanon’s Parliament on Thursday elected Gen. Joseph Aoun as the 14th president of the country after a two-year vacancy of... Read more
Vatican to host historic Jordan exhibition on Christianity’s origins
The “Jordan: Dawn of Christianity” exhibit will open at the Vatican on Jan. 31 showcasing 90 artifacts. Read more
Illegal workers stuck in South African mine should be handled ‘with dignity,’ bishop says
The illegal miners stuck in a mine in South Africa’s North West Province are human beings whose dignity should be... Read more
Hopes rise for Christians as Church leaders meet new Syria leader
As Syria navigates a transitional phase, questions abound regarding the Church’s role in shaping the new Syrian nation. Has the... Read more
Catholic priest in Nigeria murdered by ‘unidentified assailants’
After the death of Nigerian priest Father Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo the day after Christmas, the diocese appealed for prayers “for... Read more
Safety concerns escalate for Christians in historic Syrian town
Christians in Maaloula in western Syria have been living with an intensifying fear for their safety, exacerbated by a recent... Read more
PHOTOS: Cardinal Pizzaballa opens 2025 Jubilee Year in Holy Land
The entry of the jubilee cross into the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth on Dec. 29 marked the opening... Read more
Priestly vocations are up in Burkina Faso despite Islamic terrorism
Despite constant terrorist attacks suffered by Catholics in Burkina Faso from Islamic fundamentalists, vocations to the priesthood have increased in... Read more
We’re ‘finding creative methods to reach people,’ says bishop of 1-year-old Nigerian diocese
Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa said the innovative approaches to evangelization are bearing fruit in various sectors of his diocese. Read more
Patriarch of Jerusalem: Let us look to the future with hope, without hatred or violence
“Our commitment this Christmas is to rebuild our trust and renew our hope for life here in Bethlehem and throughout... Read more
PHOTOS: Cardinal Pizzaballa shares Christmas message after Gaza visit
The press conference was not only a chance for the Latin patriarch to share an annual Christmas message but also... Read more
‘So powerful’: Jonathan Roumie on sponsoring African children through Catholic charity
In 2023, Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie partnered with Unbound, a Catholic child-sponsorship charity, to support the organization’s 1 millionth child. Read more
PHOTOS: Gaza Catholic parish prepares for second Christmas under war
As Christmas approaches, the Latin Church of the Holy Family in Gaza is alive with activity as the people at... Read more
War, economic struggles threaten Bethlehem’s century-old crafts tradition
The tradition of being an artisan in Bethlehem is being threatened by the flight of young people from the area... Read more
Major religious freedom win for Nigeria: Christian mother acquitted of blasphemy charges
Rhoda Jatau was arrested by Nigerian authorities on May 20, 2022, after forwarding a video of a Muslim denouncing the... Read more
Santa’s tomb? Coffin of St. Nicholas may have been found — but there’s a catch
The discovery could muddy the conventional wisdom about the true resting place of the saint’s relics, which is currently believed... Read more
Pope Francis reveals he survived two threats to his life in Iraq
Pope Francis has revealed in a new book, “Spera,” that he narrowly escaped two attempts on his life during his... Read more
One week after regime change, Syrian church bells ring out in hope
This past Sunday, churches in Syria witnessed a remarkable surge in attendees across cities and towns as people gathered to... Read more
Pope Francis appoints new auxiliary bishop for Jordan and the titular see of Siminia
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for Father Iyad Twal’s appointments. Read more
Heads of Christian churches in Holy Land call for end of war in Gaza in Christmas message
Invoking the spirit of Christmas, leaders of Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Syriac, Armenian, and other churches gave thanks to God for... Read more
