Catholic humanitarian agencies are launching emergency relief campaigns following Feb. 6’s devastating earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, which have so far killed more than 11,200 and injured upward of 40,900.
International News
Pope Saddened by ‘Huge Loss of Life’ After Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
Pope Francis expressed his “spiritual closeness” and “solidarity” with those affected by a pair of powerful earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria Feb. 6.
Caritas Offices Destroyed, Over 2,300 Dead As 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Turkey and Syria
A powerful earthquake struck Turkey and Syria in the early morning hours of Feb. 6, killing hundreds and leaving thousands more wounded.
Catholic Lawmaker Calls for National Security Conversation After Chinese Spy Balloon Shot Down
A Chinese surveillance balloon flying at high altitudes over the continental U.S. was shot down over the water off the South Carolina coast by U.S. military Feb. 4, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III confirmed in a statement Saturday afternoon.
Arms Trade is a ‘Plague,’ Pope Says on Flight Back From Africa
At the end of six days in African countries bloodied by war and conflict, Pope Francis said that “the biggest plague” afflicting the world today is the weapons trade.
Pope, Anglican, Presbyterian Leaders Push South Sudanese to Make Peace
Three Christian religious leaders faced the president and vice presidents of South Sudan and told them it was time for them to get serious about peace, development and democracy.
Congo War Victims Recount Horrors to Pope, Thank Church for Recovery
Victims of the bloody conflict scarring eastern Congo met Pope Francis Wednesday, sharing their horror stories and crediting the Catholic Church for making their recovery possible.
Egyptian Coptic Cleric Hails Pope Francis & His Middle East Messages
Pope Francis’ call for human fraternity is not just idle talk, as we are used to hearing from the leaders in the Arab world, but rather a comprehensive approach that includes dialogue with and working for the millions of poor and needy in the region, which is rippling with political and economic turmoil.
U.S.-Born Priest to Lead Vatican Body Overseeing Selection of World’s Bishops
Pope Francis has chosen Chicago-born Archbishop Robert F. Prevost of Chiclayo, Peru, to succeed Canadian Cardinal Ouellet as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
Pope Urges Congo Catholics to Press Beyond Ethnic, Regional Divides
On his second day in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pope Francis told Catholics to go beyond ethnic and regional divides in fostering peace, stressing forgiveness and conversion to overcome the violence and divisions currently tearing apart the country with Africa’s largest Catholic population.