Gaza: A first step towards peace after 733 days of war

As indirect talks continue in Egypt between Israeli envoys and Hamas, a cautious hope for the beginning of peace is taking root in the Diocese of the Holy Land. The parish priest of Gaza’s only Catholic parish shared with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) the heavy toll of two years of war. “Two …

Church clings to life amid chaos in Gaza

Aid to the Church in Need echoes Pope Leo’s call for peace The Gaza Strip is currently going through one of the darkest periods of its recent history. Yesterday a United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel has committed genocide against the population of Gaza, denouncing crimes against humanity in the conflict …

Memory of the Martyrs: The Vatican Shares the Stories of 1,624 Christians murdered for Their Faith

An ecumenical memorial tribute will be held this Sunday in Rome, but the names will not be released at this time. (Banner photo: some of the victims of the church attacks in Pakistan in March 2015). A Vatican commission comprising historians, theologians, and other experts has documented the stories of over 1,600 men and women …

Christian clergy in Gaza defies evacuation orders to remain with their flocks

In a joint statement, the Latin Catholic and Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Jerusalem call on both parties to end hostilities and allow families on both sides to begin to heal the wounds of war. (Photo of the banner: Already in 2024, people in Holy Family Parish were praying for peace.) Both the Catholic and the …

Pope “close” to suffering people of Cabo Delgado

According to Mozambican Bishop António Juliasse, the Pope’s message is that no war should ever be forgotten. Pope Leo expressed his closeness to the people of Cabo Delgado, in northern Mozambique, during his Angelus address on Sunday, August 24. Pope Francis had previously referred to the insurgency in Cabo Delgado on several occasions. “I express …

Parish priest after attack on Gaza’s only Catholic church: “Everything happened very quickly”

The Church of the Holy Family, the only Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, was hit last Thursday, July 17, in an attack that left its community mired in pain and uncertainty. A shell, according to initial reports, fired from an Israeli tank killed three people and wounded 15 more, including the parish priest, Father …

Peru – Pope Leo XIV’s dedication

Former fellow missionary recalls Pope Leo’s dedication to the poor and suffering Pope Leo XIV served in Peru during a difficult period, when the Augustinians were under threat from terrorists and the population was struggling. “He made sure the poor were treated with dignity,” says Fr. Lydon. Pope Leo XIV is “going to hear the …

Testimony – “I was the pope’s altar server in Chiclayo. Now I promote ACN in Peru”

“I was the pope’s altar server in Chiclayo. Now I promote ACN in Peru”Hello, my name is Santiago, and a few years ago I was an altar server in the parish of Saint Martin of Porres, Chiclayo, and I had the blessing of personally meeting the man who is now Pope Leo XIV. (On the …

Meeting with Pope Leo XIV: A new hope for the Eastern Churches

In a historic meeting, Pope Leo XIV received representatives from the Eastern Catholic Churches in an audience, during the pilgrimage of sui iuris Churches, as part of the Jubilee of Hope. The pope made a strong and deeply spiritual speech to the gathered Church leaders, which was received as a spark of hope amid different …

“A bridge of love with Peru: ACN’s collaboration with Pope Leo XIV”

The close collaboration between Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and now Pope Leo XIV blazed a trail of service and evangelization in Peru. From the Andes to the Amazon, ACN’s projects carry hope and a pastoral presence to where it is needed most. In this interview, Peruvian Luis Vildoso, who is responsible for …