Suhila Alshakarji, one of the 12 Syrian refugees that Pope Francis brought with him to Italy from the Island of Llesbos, has lifeless, tired eyes. They only revive when she looks at her daughter Qudus, 7, whose name, she specifies, “means Jerusalem,” playing carefree in the garden and, finally, she smiles.

Not so much time has passed since the little girl — in a rubber dinghy that stopped for almost an hour and a half in the open sea, with 36 other immobile persons to avoid any movement — asked her mother terrorized: “What’s happening?”

The tragic anniversary of the Jesuit priest’s disappearance is approaching. There has been no definite news about his whereabouts since the summer of 2013. The kidnapping took place in Syria

The genocide carried out by the Islamic State group (ISIS) has sought to wipe out the Christian peoples of Syria and Iraq from their ancient homelands, but also out to destroy the historical identity of the survivors.

For some, a successful journey is a long tiring destination, for others, it may seem inspiring! Do you think success is an easy achievement? It actually takes a lot of time, dedication and hard work. You should believe in yourself even, when you are not sure about what you want or what the future holds. Never allow negativity to sink into your life and alter your inside; always shift, twist and turn everything into positive asset. It is hard and painful sometimes; however with faith, hard work and dedication, you will not only achieve your set goals, success will become your lifestyle.

The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in Jordan, Amman office, has organized an international conference in which a number reasearchers took part. The conference discussed what the Western countries can do, particularly Europe and the United States, to protect and guarantee the continued presence of Christians in the Middle East.

One civil court’s ruling has created an important precedent in a country where there is a dual justice system in force – civil and religious, often creating a short circuit for a person’s legitimate choice of faith.

In Cuba discussions have begun to define a legal status for the Church as an institution. A highly confidential process has begun in Havana, that will in all likelihood be long and should lead to the definition of a legal status for the Catholic Church in Cuba (1) Some days ago, delegations representing the government and the Episcopate met officially to launch negotiations. When the delicate and complex discussions conclude, they should place the Cuban Church within a precise legal framework that has been lacking since the triumph of Fidel Castro’s “Revolution” in 1959.

Radical groups such as Sunni Tehreek are rallying for the Christian woman’s immediate execution. Meanwhile, a weakened government has shelved plans to change the blasphemy law.

Execute her. Now. Pakistan’s Islamic radicals have taken another swipe at Asia Bibi, calling for her to be put to death, ignoring the rule of law and the legal proceedings currently underway. The woman has spent seven years in prison and her case is now being heard by the Supreme Court, the third and final stage in her trial.

Vatican Insider publishes some of the drawings that were given to the Pope by children at the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos: “They want peace!”

My uncle Fr. Manuel has accompanied me to the German township of Brakel. There were bronze statues at the entrance of a bank that represent human story to this very day.