When Pope Francis visits Dubai in the United Arab Emirates Dec. 1-3 to address the opening of the U.N. Climate Change Conference, he will be the first pope ever to attend one of the global gatherings that began in 1995.
International News
Gaza, Once the Birthplace of Christianity, Now Shelters War Refugees in Churches
When a missile hit a building inside the compound of the St. Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza, it was the first time many in Egypt and surrounding Arab countries were aware that there are still Palestinian Christians living in Gaza.
Catholic Relief Services Staff Brave Dangers of War to Aid Palestinians in Gaza
Every day amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, a Palestinian Catholic Relief Services staff member makes his way by donkey to various shops in Gaza to check if they have been bombed, and if not, if they still have supplies.
Head of China’s Government-Backed Bishops’ Body Visits Hong Kong
Archbishop Li Shan of Beijing, who leads the government-sponsored bishops’ conference in China, began a five-day visit to Hong Kong Nov. 13 intended to strengthen ties between the two churches and to facilitate stronger communication between the Holy See and mainland China.
Given ‘Pain’ in Gaza, Leaders Urge Holy Land Christians to Forgo Holiday Festivities
As the war in Gaza drags on and other global hotspots escalate, Church leaders in both Europe and the Holy Land have again called for peace and disarmament, and for acts of solidarity with those who are suffering.
Diocesan Priest Brings Sacraments, and Joy, to Mexico’s Girls Town
It’s not often a priest receives cheers for hearing confessions, but that’s exactly what happened to Father Christopher O’Connor when he traveled to Chalco, Mexico, last month to assist a group of sisters at a school they run for girls.
Doctrinal Dicastery Says Transsexuals Can Be Baptized
If it would not cause scandal or confusion among other Catholics, “a transsexual — even one who has undergone hormone treatment and gender reassignment surgery — may receive baptism under the same conditions as other faithful,” said a document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Pope to Address U.N. Climate Conference, Inaugurate ‘Faith Pavilion’
Pope Francis will travel to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates Dec. 1-3 to address the U.N. climate conference and to help inaugurate the Faith Pavilion where religious leaders and organizations will meet to share information and strategies for convincing governments to take real steps to protect the environment.
Egypt’s Churches Praying for Holy Land Peace
These words of a Christian hymn filled churches in Egypt last week as a security situation has been boiling in the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas, the Islamic movement that rules the Gaza Strip, stormed nearby Israeli towns, killing more than 1,400 and abducting hundreds.
Pope Skips Speech to Rabbis, but Otherwise Maintains Schedule
Pope Francis Monday, Nov. 6, opted not to give a planned speech to a delegation of European rabbis, saying he was unwell, but maintained the rest of the day’s various audiences and gave all of his other prepared speeches, including some off-the-cuff remarks.