Cabo Delgado was the area most affected by the fury of Cyclone Chido, which swept through Mozambique early on Sunday, December 15th, after causing destruction in the French archipelago of Mayotte. There are dozens of fatalities, and thousands of people lost everything. They are now asking how they will survive. In an initial report, the Diocese of Pemba speaks of a “frightening scene of destruction,” and even the IDP camps for victims of terrorism were leveled.   Once the sun rose ...

Ukrainian Church leaders have sent Christmas greetings to ACN, thanking the charity for its material and spiritual support over three years of war. In their messages, they highlight the country’s current challenges, such as an increase in stress levels and a shortage of resources in several regions.   “Thank you for all you do. Thank you!” says the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, in his Christmas message to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). As the war in ...

King Charles III appeared at a special Advent service on Tuesday, December 17th, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Mayfair, London. The service was co-hosted by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The service celebrated the courage and perseverance of Christian communities and reflected on the 10th anniversary of the invasion of Mosul and the Nineveh Plains in northern Iraq by Daesh (ISIS). As part of the proceedings, the King was introduced to representatives of the London-based ...

More than one year since the start of the war, Pope Francis continues to call the Catholic parish in Gaza every day and has become a grandfather figure to its children, says Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.  The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem continues to give as much support as it can to the small Christian community in Gaza, as well as to Muslim families living close to the Catholic and Orthodox compounds in the territory.   During a press conference held by pontifical ...

December 16, 2025 – As Syria marks the first week of the transition to the new regime, ACN (Aid to the Church in Need) has gathered firsthand testimonies, providing an on-the-ground look at the current situation in key regions, including Homs and Aleppo, where people are dealing with the uncertainties of a post-regime time.   In Homs, the mood remains cautious, as people took to the streets for demonstrations last Friday. While food and fuel supplies are available, they remain limited, ...

Catechists are pillars of the Church in Burkina Faso, often at risk to their own lives. Despite continuous terrorist threats against them, they assure, in the absence of priests, the continuity of faith in villages and displacement camps. In an interview with ACN, a priest from the Diocese of Kaya explains that being a catechist means giving yourself entirely, guided by unshakable faith and a desire to provide tireless service to the Christian community.   “Catechists are the heroes of the ...