Syria Archives

COVID-19 does what war couldn’t: Churches closed in Syria, nuncio says

Apr 6, 2020

Cardinal Mario Zenari, the nuncio to Syria, said he is raising special prayers these days to Sts. Cosmas and Damian, fourth-century physicians who offered free care for the sick in Syria.

By Cindy Wooden

Catholic charities prepare to ‘scale up’ as poor nations brace for pandemic

Apr 6, 2020

As the global coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, so far claiming over 65,000 lives, aid agencies are increasingly turning their attention to poor and developing nations that are under-equipped to handle a massive outbreak.

By Elise Ann Allen

Humanitarians call for end to Syria’s civil war, entering 10th year

Mar 17, 2020

Humanitarians caring for displaced Syrians in and outside their country are calling for an end to Syria’s brutal civil war as it enters its 10th year. The magnitude of displacement, death and destruction in Syria marks one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises right now, the United Nations and human rights groups have said.

By Dale Gavlak

Pope prays for virus victims, Syria in first (virtual) appearance since last week

Mar 8, 2020

In a Sunday Angelus message livestreamed by the Vatican rather than delivered in front of a live crowd in St. Peter’s Square as a precaution, Pope Francis expressed his closeness in prayer to those suffering from the epidemic and also renewed his “great apprehension” for unarmed victims of Syria’s civil war.

By Elise Ann Allen

Some concerned Turkish president is weaponizing Syrian refugees

Mar 5, 2020

Turkey and Greece are trading blame following the deaths of Syrian refugees trying to flee to Europe, but some observers believe Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is weaponizing the Syrian refugee humanitarian crisis.

By Dale Gavlak

‘We are in human misery,’ Franciscan in northern Syria tells pope

Feb 19, 2020

Syrian government forces and Russian warplanes are bombing Idlib province, while tens of thousands of people are sheltering under strips of plastic tenting in the freezing cold and snow.

By Dale Gavlak