The Syrian government is negotiating with rebels to release 12 nuns seized earlier this month from a convent north of Damascus, the Associated Press quoted two activists during the weekend. The rebels are demanding that hundreds of imprisoned women activists be freed in exchange for the nuns, they said. A spokesman for the rebel brigade Read more
Pope Francis on Wednesday called for prayers for 12 Orthodox nuns reportedly taken by Syrian rebels. Religious officials in the region have said the women were abducted, but a Syrian opposition activist said they were merely removed for their own safety. The 12 nuns join two bishops and a priest who are already believed to Read more
A mortar round hit the apostolic nunciature in the Syrian capital, causing limited damage to the building and no casualties, the Vatican ambassador to Syria was quoted by a report on Catholic News Service. Archbishop Mario Zenari, the Vatican nuncio, said if the rocket had been launched just a half-hour later, he would have been Read more
Rebels including al-Qaeda-linked fighters gained control of a Christian village northeast of the capital Damascus, Syrian activists said on Sunday. Reports quoting government media said a scenic mountain community known for being one of the few places in the world where residents still speak the ancient Middle Eastern language of Aramaic was attacked by the Read more