Middle East
Fearful Christmas in Baghdad after attacks on Christians
By Reuters — December 25, 2016
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters) - Iraqi Christians have been in a heightened state of fear after deadly attacks on Christian-owned shops that sell alcohol.
Amid Middle East gloom, Christmas brings some cheer in Bethlehem
By Jerome Socolovsky — December 19, 2016
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (Reuters) - This Christmas, for once, Bethlehem really can boast again that there is no room at the inn, as relative calm in the Israeli-occupied West Bank brings pilgrims and tourists flocking to the town of Jesus's birth.
Pope condemns Cairo church bombing as victims are mourned
By Josephine McKenna — December 12, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) "We are united in the blood of our martyrs,” Francis told Coptic Pope Tawadros II after one of the deadliest attacks on Egypt's Christian minority in modern times. It appeared to target women and children.
British humanitarian group offers war-torn Christmas cards
By Adelle M. Banks — December 1, 2016
(RNS) On one card, Mary and Joseph are leaning over the baby Jesus as a missile traverses a starry night.
Ransacked homes and little hope for returning Iraqi Christians
By RNS staff — November 29, 2016
(Reuters) Qaraqosh was Iraq's biggest Christian settlement before militants took over in 2014 and issued an ultimatum to residents: pay a tax, convert to Islam, or die.
Yazidis risk all to flee Islamic State
By Jerome Socolovsky — November 27, 2016
DUHOK, Iraq (Reuters) - Mass Yazidi graves have been found since Kurdish forces retook areas north of Sinjar in December 2014, and the town itself in November 2015, but Islamic State had already transferred many Yazidis to other areas, including Tal Afar.
Church in northern Iraq reopened after two years under ISIS control
By guest — November 20, 2016
Women trilled to celebrate the moment when a new crucifix was erected on the church, replacing one that was broken by the Islamic State militants.
Iraqi army drives ISIS from Christian region near Mosul
By Jerome Socolovsky — October 22, 2016
QAYYARA, Iraq (Reuters) - Earlier this week, Iraqi special units also captured Bartella, a Christian village north of Qaraqosh.
UN agency ignores Jewish ties to Temple Mount
By Lauren Markoe — October 13, 2016
(RNS) A UNESCO vote unsettles those who see it as an attempt to dismiss Jewish ties to the faith's holiest site.
Pope Francis warns Syria aggressors they will face divine wrath
By Josephine McKenna — September 28, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pontiff's latest appeal came as he authorized a church charity to auction cars used during his recent trip to Poland to support those hard hit by the war.
Gulf tourism frenzy in Bosnia polarizes locals
By Jerome Socolovsky — August 22, 2016
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina -- In a secular country where many Muslims drink alcohol and wear European-style clothing, the arrival of a Saudi-built mall where no alcohol is sold and the sight of burqas and traditional Arab robes is worrying for some.
Pope Francis invites Syrian refugees to lunch in Vatican
By Josephine McKenna — August 11, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pontiff's gesture was another pointed challenge to sentiment in the West against welcoming refugees from the war-torn region.
Catholic nuns under siege in Syria appeal for help
By Josephine McKenna — August 5, 2016
ROME (RNS) The bombing and the food shortages in Aleppo have reached a critical point, but several Carmelite nuns are refusing to leave.
Christian Broadcasting Network links Tel Aviv attack to BDS
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 9, 2016
(RNS) The Christian Broadcasting Network issued a statement condemning the attack that killed four Israelis in Tel Aviv and blaming it on violent anti-Semitism it says is encouraged by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
Pope chides world powers for failing to push for peace in Syria
By Rosie Scammell — June 19, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Friday said the international community has not done enough to find a solution to the Syrian conflict, and said the country’s Christians had been united by “the blood of the martyrs” lost in war.
