The nuns give practical help and emotional support to scores of migrants flooding Sicily's shores. The U.N.'s International Organization for Migration said that as of July 3, more than 85,000 migrants landed in Italy this year.

The latest survivors of the dangerous sea voyage across the Mediterranean from Libya as European Union leaders expressed alarm at the rising numbers of migrants flooding into Italy.

For the patriarch, Holy Week culminating in the Easter celebration offers a fresh hope to breathe new life into prayer and reflection, reconciliation and dialogue.

"This is now the third year of displacement for the Iraqi Christians. It's very tough. Donations are becoming less, while global attention is waning."

Trump's action slapped a 90-day ban on all entry to the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries with terrorism concerns.

Up to 40,000 people are believed to be stuck throughout Greece as border after border to northern Europe has closed along the main route through the Balkans used by more than a million people since the migratory wave began a year ago.

King Abdullah II of Jordan has warned that his country is now at a "boiling point" as Syrians, Iraqis and others fleeing violence in the aftermath of the Arab Spring uprisings still seek shelter in the cash-strapped, oil-poor kingdom.

Christian educators warn that funding discrimination by the Israel's Ministry of Education may force the closure of about 48 Christian schools, affecting some 33,000 pupils—roughly half Christian, half Muslim—who attend the institutions.

Christian family mourns abduction of 3-year-old child.

Church leaders report mistreatment of minorities in areas controlled by Islamist militants.