International
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UN agencies urge unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza
By Admin Webmaster 10/24/2023 10:25:40 AMUNICEF, along with UNDP, UNFPA, WFP and WHO call for unrestricted humanitarian access throughout Gaza to save lives, in particular of children who are paying the highest price in the war.
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Pope renews appeal for humanitarian aid, release of hostages in Gaza
By Admin Webmaster 10/24/2023 10:22:25 AMAt Sunday's Angelus, Pope Francis renews his appeal for the free flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza and for the release of the hostages, saying every war is really a defeat.
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Daniel's story: ‘Hell broke out in our kibbutz. We want peace’
By Admin Webmaster 10/24/2023 10:16:39 AMThe testimony of a resident of Nir Yitzhak Kibbutz that was attacked by Hamas on 7 October and his hope for peace: "Hamas is not all Palestinians; many want to live in peace."
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Pope Francis calls US President Joe Biden to discuss peace
By Admin Webmaster 10/23/2023 9:39:56 AMPope Francis places a phone call to US President Joe Biden to speak with him about various conflicts and the need to identify paths toward peace.
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Pope renews appeal for humanitarian aid, release of hostages in Gaza
By Admin Webmaster 10/23/2023 9:32:38 AMAt Sunday's Angelus, Pope Francis renews his appeal for the free flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza and for the release of the hostages, saying every war is really a defeat.
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Patriarchs Pizzaballa and Batholomew lament airstrike on Orthodox church in Gaza
By Admin Webmaster 10/22/2023 6:41:28 AMThe Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople convey their closeness and support to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate following an Israeli airstrike near the Church of St. Porphyrius in Gaza which killed at least 18 people.
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Jerusalem’s Church leaders, Archbishop of Canterbury urge restrain in Gaza
By Admin Webmaster 10/22/2023 6:31:10 AMChurch leaders in Jerusalem join the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to call for restraint, de-escalation, and protection of civilians in the war between Israel and Hamas.
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CAFOD appeals for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza
By Admin Webmaster 10/21/2023 6:13:55 AMAs the people of Gaza await the arrival of urgently-needed humanitarian aid, Catholic aid agency CAFOD stands ready to help distribute water, food, and medicines as soon as they arrive.
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Holy See: Crises must not weaken UN commitment to Rule of Law
By Admin Webmaster 10/21/2023 6:05:09 AMThe Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, calls for respect of the Rule of Law amid new armed conflicts both at the international and national levels.
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Churches condemn air strike on Greek Orthodox building in Gaza
By Admin Webmaster 10/21/2023 5:48:58 AMAn air strike on a building adjacent to St. Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church has killed several people taking shelter there, and has drawn strong condemnation from Christian Churches.
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South African Bishops call for ceasefire in the Holy Land
By Admin Webmaster 10/20/2023 4:59:38 PMThe Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference laments the increase of violence in the conflict between Israel and Hamas and appeals for “a ceasefire” in the Holy Land.
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Whoopi Goldberg: ‘I’ve waited years to thank Pope Francis for his message!’
By Admin Webmaster 10/13/2023 4:50:09 PMActress and activist Whoopi Goldberg discusses the importance of fighting the good fight, in whatever way possible, as we strive to respond to Pope Francis’ appeal for hope, love and inclusion to heal our broken world.
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Mongolia: Country of peace, model of religious cohabitation
By Admin Webmaster 9/2/2023 8:55:10 PMAs Pope Francis visits Mongolia, Munkhbolor Gungaa with the UN's Industrial Development Agency highlights her country's unique geo-political position and describes how young people are emigrating, presenting a challenge to economic development.
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Holy See at UN: Promoting a culture of peace in digital era
By Admin Webmaster 9/1/2023 9:37:31 PMArchbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, delivers an address at the UN High-Level Forum on the Culture of Peace on the theme "Promoting a Culture of Peace in the Digital Era," with insights into the impact of digital technology on education, dialogue, and the broader pursuit of peace.
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Ukraine: In class, as war rages on
By Admin Webmaster 9/1/2023 9:28:27 PMToday, September 1st, the school year officially begins in Ukraine despite the war raging on. In an interview with Vatican Media, Salesian priest, Father Petro Mayba, head of the Education Department of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, reflects on the difficulties and situation for children and teachers.
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Pope’s visit 'a testament to Mongolia’s openness to the world'
By Admin Webmaster 9/1/2023 9:14:25 AMA political analyst engaged in helping Mongolia implement democracy and human rights shines a light on the current socio-political challenges in the country, and upholds its commitment to protect freedom of religion and the rights of religious minorities.
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Patriarch Bartholomew: 'Every act of war is also a war against Creation'
By Admin Webmaster 9/1/2023 9:08:18 AMAs Churches across the world prepare to celebrate the Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, on 1 September, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople highlights the close connection between environmental damage and failure to respect human rights, and points to the “horrific ecological devastation” caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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Archbishop Caccia recalls harm done by nuclear energy
By Admin Webmaster 8/31/2023 8:32:23 AMThe Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations reiterates Pope Francis' and Holy See's stance on nuclear disarmament and testing, at the UN General Assembly.
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Abrahamic Religions sign Declaration for the protection of the elderly
By Admin Webmaster 8/29/2023 8:49:04 AMThe document, ratified in Buenos Aires in the presence of Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, represents a sign of civilization and rejection of "any temptation to 'discard' the weak and the helpless."
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Afghan women increasingly imprisoned in their homes
By Admin Webmaster 8/28/2023 8:15:48 PMA ban on studying abroad and on visiting a national park represent the most recent in a series of policies gradually shrinking women's rights and influence in Afghanistan. The Associate Director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, states how "step by step the walls are closing in on women as every home becomes a prison."
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Cardinal Onaiyekan on Niger: No to war, No to killings
By Admin Webmaster 8/26/2023 8:58:26 PMIn an interview with Vatican News, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Nigeria, calls for peaceful solutions, and adamantly warns other options will bring war, killings, and violence, as he discusses the deteriorating situation in West Africa, especially neighbouring Niger.
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UNICEF: Millions of children in Pakistan need urgent support
By Admin Webmaster 8/26/2023 6:26:09 AMMillions of children in Pakistan have no access to safe drinking water following the devastating floods last year. UNICEF sends a warning as “vulnerable children” continue to live in flood-affected areas without basic necessities.
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Save the Children: Over half a million Rohingya children lack food assistance
By Admin Webmaster 8/25/2023 9:22:21 PMThe humanitarian organization calls on the international community to adequately fund aid programs in the refugee camps after drastic cuts caused illnesses and systematic violence toward youngsters.
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US bishops ask Supreme Court to ratify weapon bans in domestic violence cases
By Admin Webmaster 8/24/2023 7:17:56 PMThe United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issues an amicus brief related to the US v. Rahimi case, arguing for upholding a federal law preventing people under domestic restraining orders from carrying firearms.
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Nearly 550 Ukrainian children killed over 18 months of war
By Admin Webmaster 8/24/2023 7:14:04 PMMore than 540 children killed in 18 months of war, reports international humanitarian organization, Save the Children, decrying that child casualties in the war-torn country, whose annual Independence Day falls today, 24 August, rose 7 percent over the summer, as air and drone attacks multiplied.
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Nicaragua bans Jesuits and confiscates all their assets
By Admin Webmaster 8/24/2023 7:06:07 PMAs the crackdown against the Catholic Church in Nicaragua continues, President Daniel Ortega’s regime declares the Jesuit religious order illegal and orders the confiscation of all its assets.
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Pakistan: religious leaders visit Christian families affected by violence
By Admin Webmaster 8/23/2023 7:39:15 PMThe Archbishop of Lahore, Muslim authorities, and political leaders bring comfort and solidarity to Jaranwala's Christian community after the wave of violence triggered by an alleged blasphemy charge on August 16.
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Nicaragua: Jesuit community expelled from Managua residence
By Admin Webmaster 8/22/2023 9:36:14 AMNicaraguan authorities order a community of priests from the Society of Jesus to leave their private residence in Managua amid the ongoing crackdown against the Church and opposition figures.
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UNICEF: Millions of children in Niger at risk of severe malnutrition
By Admin Webmaster 8/22/2023 9:19:21 AMThe UNICEF Representative in Niger sheds light on the impact of the ongoing crisis on millions of vulnerable children, as Pope Francis appeals for prayers for the coup-hit nation.
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President of Pakistan's Bishops: Impunity foments anti-Christian violence
By Admin Webmaster 8/20/2023 9:03:24 PMAs Christians in Pakistan hold a day of prayer in the wake of mob violence against Christian places of worship in Jaranwala, Archbishop Joseph Arshad grants an interview to Vatican News and appeals for prayers for the community and for those who perpetrate violence to be brought to justice.