Lebanon: 7,465 youth find a much-needed break in summer camps

In Lebanon today, organizing a few days of activities for youth has become an obstacle course. Yet, for the local Church, these camps are more necessary than ever. This summer, Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is funding 61 camps in different regions of Lebanon, benefiting 7,465 children and young people. Local …

Colombia: ACN Visits Earthquake-Stricken Dioceses

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck large parts of western and central Colombia on Monday, August 10. The epicentre was recorded in the municipality of San José del Palmar, in the department of Chocó. According to the latest official report, the emergency has left 265 people dead, 3,494 injured, and 496 missing. The earthquake affected over 53,000 …

Earthquake in Colombia: Church assessing needs for emergency aid

A devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck much of western and central Colombia on Monday. While authorities assess the scale of the emergency, the Catholic Church is already accompanying affected communities and gathering information to gauge the most urgent needs. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is in direct contact with the bishops of dioceses …

Venezuela: Seminarians put theology into practice among the rubble

“Seeing people embrace us and seek comfort in us is a sign that the Church’s mission is to be with the people,” says one Venezuelan seminarian. Germán Jiménez, a seminarian from the Diocese of Petare, Venezuela, is in the final stage of formation before his ordination to the priesthood. From the very first moment following …

Venezuela: A Church and country in mourning

Venezuela is in mourning. Pain is everywhere, and the Church is often the only source of hope. “Feelings are very mixed. We are here to accompany, to counsel, and to support those who have suffered human losses, but also the many who have lost their jobs. We commend ourselves to the Lord, asking him to …

Iraq: pope calls on young jihad survivors to be “light of the world”

Initially scheduled for March, the festival was postponed due to the conflicts which have affected the Middle East. The pope has encouraged more than 700 young people who lived through Iraq’s jihadist occupation to be the light of the world. In a video shown on Wednesday, July 8, at the Ankawa Youth Meeting (AYM), Pope …

ACN-Supported Summer Camps Reach 30,000+ Youth Worldwide

Camps take place in 11 different countries, with a particular focus on regions marked by war, displacement, and instability. Every year, Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) supports the organization of youth summer camps by local churches. This year, ACN is supporting 407 summer camps, through 46 projects in 11 countries, reaching …

Venezuela: Religious sisters stand in solidarity with earthquake victims

The superior general of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, who was due to return to Rome, speaks movingly about the faith displayed by the people amid the tragedy. The double earthquake that struck Venezuela on June 24, claiming more than 3,000 lives and affecting thousands of families, has mobilized the Church throughout the …

Central African Republic: Murdered priest was a tireless peacemaker, says diocesan bishop

Despite the dangers, crowds gathered along the roads to pay their last respects to Father Crépin as his body was transported to the site of his funeral. Father Crépin Martial Monga, vicar of the Catholic parish of St. John the Baptist in Zémio, in southeastern Central African Republic (CAR), was killed on Monday, June 29, …

ACN President: More Martyrs Today Than in the First Centuries of Christianity

Publication Note: The following article was prepared in June. Dates and references reflect the time of writing. During the annual pilgrimage for persecuted Christians in Einsiedeln on May 31, 2026, the president of ACN International reflected on contemporary martyrdom, Christian unity, and the mission of the charity. Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of Aid to the …