By Cindy WoodenCatholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and its Creed, as well as reaffirming hopes for peace in the Middle East, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Turkey and Lebanon Nov. 27-Dec. 2. The Vatican released the itinerary for Pope Leo’s first foreign trip Oct. […]
Commentary: A Christian’s offer
The Jerusalem cardinal’s heroic inspiration in these dark, chaotic days By Editorial Board of Our Sunday Visitor Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa’s recent offer to exchange himself for the children held hostage in the Gaza Strip by Hamas is a testament to his extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to peace. This selfless act of courage has showcased […]
Christianity in Middle East likened to a sinking ship
By Doreen Abi Raad Catholic News Service BEIRUT — Lebanese Cardinal Bechara Rai warned that the Christian presence in the Middle East is shrinking and church leaders “are called to face the winds that blow in our homelands.” The assessment by the patriarch of Maronite Catholics during a meeting of the Middle East Council of […]
Christians caught in the middle in Jerusalem
An Israeli border police officer stands near Catholic tourists from Indonesia as they carry a cross Oct. 18 on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem’s Old City, near a site of several recent stabbings. (CNS photo/Debbie Hill) Praying for peace in Jerusalem: Caught in the middle, Christians fear the police, the Israelis, the Muslims JERUSALEM […]
Priest helping refugees in Jordan says he’s living with saints
MARKA, Jordan — Hearing a beloved voice, a little boy hurriedly hobbled down the pale stone steps of the church hall to greet the priest with a tender hug. Father Khalil Jaar chuckled when he saw the sandy-haired child, Misho, playing dress-up by wearing one of his mother’s brown high-heeled boots on his right foot […]