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Children process into the St. Mary al-Tahir Church, also known as the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Baghdad, for their first Communion. / Credit: Chaldean Catholic Church

Hope in Iraq: Churches Full as 1,500 Children Celebrate First Communion

Aug 9, 2025

Just weeks ago, Christians throughout Iraq celebrated as 1,500 boys and girls received their first holy Communion.

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Credit: Catholic Diocese of Kontagora/Society of African Missions (SMA)

Missionary Congregation Joins Call for Prayers for 265 Children still Held after Nigerian School Abductions

Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of South Sudan’s Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY). Credit: Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY)

“A nation cannot build new roads on old wounds”: South Sudanese Catholic Bishop Urges Youth to Embrace Dialogue

Credit: Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM)

Mozambique’s National Youth Celebrations Open with Call for Young People to Lead Healing, Renewal of the Country

Late Bishop Edward Gabriel Risi. Credit: Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC)

South African Catholic Bishop Known for Liturgical Reform at Conference Dies at 76

St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. / Credit: Xosema (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Vatican Commission Rejects Female Diaconate, Although Without a "definitive judgment"

Credit: SACBC

Catholic Bishops in Southern Africa Call for Family Centred Approach in Addressing Gender-Based Violence

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Pope Leo XIV interacts with a baby before celebrating Mass in Beirut, Lebanon, on Dec. 2, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Powerful Moments from Pope Leo XIV’s Trip to Turkey and Lebanon

Credit: Christin Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Christian Entity Calls for Justice for Employee Assaulted by Police in UK while Protesting Atrocities in Sudan

Fr. Emmanuel Ezema. Credit: Zaria Diocese

Appeal for Prayers as Catholic Priest Kidnapped from Residence in Nigeria Remains Missing

Archbishop Philip Anyolo Subira of Kenya's Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi (ADN). Credit: CUEA

African Centre of Theology and Canon Law Conference in Kenya Lauded as “truly an important moment”

The National President of Nigeria's National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL) Barrister Edward Orgah. Credit ACI Africa

Catholic Lawyers in Nigeria Urged to Reject Bribery, Champion Integrity in Country’s Troubled Judicial System

A photo display of persecuted Christians in Iraq and Nigeria can be seen at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., until Feb. 8, 2026. / Credit: Madalaine Elhabbal/CNA

Nigerian, Iraqi Priests Tell of Aiding Persecuted Christians Seen in Photo Exhibit

Late Bishop Edward Gabriel Risi. Credit: Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC)

South African Catholic Bishop Known for Liturgical Reform at Conference Dies at 76

Credit: Mitume Radio

“Bring laughter back into our homes,” Kenyan Archbishop Urges Women to Restore Joy in Families

Credit: Southern Africa Jesuits

Missionaries, Local Communities in Mozambique Lauded for Sustaining 80-Year-Old Catholic Mission

Credit: Radio Sol Mansi

National Pilgrimage in Guinea-Bissau Cancelled, Catholic Dioceses Cite Unstable “sociopolitical situation”

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