El Salvador

Poverty, inequality in Latin America at unthinkable levels, pope says
- Jun 30, 2017
Founded in 1966, the Italian-Latin American International Organization seeks to increase “economic, social, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation” between Latin American countries and Italy. Commemorating the organization’s 50th anniversary, Pope Francis said that to achieve the goal of promoting development and cooperation, the organization must first identify the potential of Latin American countries, who are “rich in history, culture, natural resources” and “good and caring” people.

By Junno Arocho Esteves
In Washington, Salvadoran diaspora in awe of first Salvadoran cardinal
- Jun 29, 2017
Many Salvadoran expats living in the Washington area were celebrating the elevation of Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chavez to a cardinal June 28 at the Vatican. Many believe that Chavez will be able to bring dialogue and peace to a nation often divided by conflict and violence.

By Rhina Guidos
El Salvador’s first cardinal a friend of Blessed Oscar Romero
- Jun 21, 2017
Born in 1942 to a farming family in Sociedad, Bishop José Gregorio Rosa Chávez was ordained a priest of the Diocese of San Miguel in 1970. Under Blessed Oscar Romero, he headed the Archdiocese of San Salvador’s communications office. He will be El Salvador’s first cardinal.

By Joe Slama

Washington group provides way to track U.S. aid to Central America
- May 25, 2017
The nonprofit Washington Office on Latin America, or WOLA, has launched the Central America Monitor, a way of tracking U.S. assistance and its impact on the so-called “Northern Triangle” countries of Latin America — Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador — that receive the bulk of the aid.

By Rhina Guidos
On cusp of Trump summit, Pope makes a statement about peripheries
- May 23, 2017
Despite the stereotypical American conceit that the world revolves around us, Pope Francis almost certainly wasn’t thinking of Donald Trump when he named five new cardinals on Sunday, just ahead of his meeting today with the U.S. President. Still, the timing is arresting: Just ahead of receiving the de facto leader of the center, the pontiff made a powerful statement about the peripheries.

By John L. Allen Jr.
In violent hot spot, Washington parishioner finds hope of resurrection
- Apr 16, 2017
A parishioner of an upscale church in Georgetown has found a new home in El Salvador where she finds that the Stations of the Cross are a often a reality rather than a symbolic act on Easter. “Every week is Holy Week here,” because of the suffering, says Margie Legowski.

By Rhina Guidos