Lebanon
Pope urges peace in 3-day trip to Lebanon
BEIRUT (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday (Sept. 16) took the unusual step of directly appealing to Arab countries to find "workable solutions" to the conflict in Syria and tensions throughout the Middle East. By Alessandro Speciale.
Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Lebanon as riots flare across Middle East
BEIRUT (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Lebanon on Friday for a high-risk trip aimed at emboldening the Middle East’s beleaguered Christian minority, just as anti-Western protests spread through much of the Muslim world. By Alessandro Speciale.
Vatican recalibrates response to Middle East riots, says violence is never justified
(RNS) The Vatican issued a firm condemnation of the attack against the U.S. embassy in Libya, one day after a statement that focused on decrying "provocations" against Muslim sensibilities. By Alessandro Speciale.
Vatican says pope’s Lebanon trip still a go despite violence
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican confirmed on Wednesday (Sept. 12) that Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Lebanon will go ahead as planned, despite growing tension in the region after the killing of the U.S. ambassador to Libya by a mob enraged by an anti-Islam film. By Alessandro Speciale.
Pope Benedict XVI prepares to embark on high-risk trip to Lebanon
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI embarks Friday (Sept. 14) on a high-risk trip to Lebanon, as the country's stability is threatened by spillover from the conflict in neighboring Syria. By Alessandro Speciale.
Report highlights Islam’s global diversity
(RNS) A new report draws on 38,000 face-to-face interviews in 39 countries to find that Muslims differ sharply over questions of faith like who counts as a Muslim and what spiritual practices are acceptable. By Christopher Lisee.