“The Christian presence in the Middle East must not die out.”

Königstein-Montreal, March 2, 2026 – As tensions rise once again across the Middle East, the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) warns that a further escalation of violence could have devastating consequences for Christian communities throughout the region. “The Christian presence in the Middle East must not die out,” said Regina …

Religious Freedom: A global victim of authoritarianism, extremism, and war

“Religious freedom is a human right, not a privilege.” Rome-Montreal, October 21, 2025 – The international pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) launched its biennial report “Religious Freedom in the World 2025” today, 21 October 21, 2025, offering a global overview of the state of this fundamental right. The study, covering the …

Pope Leo XIV calls for renewed commitment to defend religious freedom and stand with persecuted Christians worldwide

The Holy Father receives Aid to the Church in Need in private audience This morning, October 10, 2025, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International in a private audience at the Vatican, marking 25 years of the charity’s continued mission to defend the right to religious …

Catholic University in Erbil is celebrating ten years: Bravo!

Ten years of bringing hope and fostering coexistence in Iraq In 2014, Yohana Al-Zebbaree was a pre-teen boy from a Chaldean Catholic family living in the northern Iraqi city of Duhok when jihadists from the Islamic State (IS) overran Mosul and began expanding their control over large parts of northern Iraq. “I remember the night …

Women around the world prayed and fasted for world peace

As endless wars scar the face of the earth, worldwide representative of the female religious issued a call for prayer and fasting, asking the Virgin Mary, whose Assumption we celebrate today, to intercede for peace among mankind. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) joined the initiative. International Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in …

Syria: Deadly attack in Damascus

Aid to the Church in Need expresses its deep sorrow following the deadly attack on Saint Elijah Church in Damascus on June 22, 2025. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is profoundly saddened and alarmed by the deadly attack that took place on Sunday evening during a service at the Greek Orthodox Church of …

Pakistan: Christian girls continue to suffer from abuse and discrimination

A report compiled by Franciscan priest Lazar Aslam describes the plight of young girls and women who are subjected to rape, kidnapping, and forced marriage in a country where the law rarely affords Christians equal rights. (Banner photo: Published in 2022, the report Hear Her Cries highlighted the violence committed against women from religious minorities, …

Over 1,000 ACN benefactors to take part in “pilgrimage of hope” to Rome for the 2025 Jubilee

Over 1,000 benefactors of Pontifical Charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), from 23 different countries, will be participating in a pilgrimage to Rome, from May 7 to 10, 2025, within the context of the Jubilee that officially began with the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica, on December 24, 2024.  …

“We mourn a messenger of dialogue and mercy.”

ACN says farewell to Pope Francis “Pope Francis was the pontiff for the people on the edges of society and a tireless fighter for religious freedom and oppressed Christians. That is how we remember him, and we trust that we now have another advocate in heaven for our work.” So spoke the executive president of …

Aid to the Church in Need calls for intense prayer for Syria amid violence and uncertainty

Press release – For Immediate Release Königstein-Montreal, March 10, 2023 – Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) expresses its deep concern over the escalating violence in Syria, particularly in the coastal region, where hundreds of civilians have fallen victim to indiscriminate attacks. The situation has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, also for …