South Sudan

Flooding compounds hardships caused by conflict, hunger and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pope Francis, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury and the Rev. Jim Wallace, moderator of the Church of Scotland, marked the 10th anniversary of South Sudan's independence and promised to visit the country when it has a stable peace.

Despite a recent escalation in violence across South Sudan, including a spate of attacks against clergy, Catholic leaders in the country continue to hope that Pope Francis will be able to finally visit.

Catholic bishops in Kenya are urging the government to shelve plans to close two refugee camps in the north, which host refugees who fled civil war and famine in Somalia and South Sudan.

Commentary: The Irish nun, head of Loreto Schools in Rumbek, received the State Department international award for her courage, inner strength and fierce dedication to female empowerment.

Choosing Peace: The Catholic Church Returns to Gospel Nonviolence collects contributions from participants at the gathering, focusing particularly on reflections of those from conflict zones.

As Somalia experiences what the U.N. has called the worst humanitarian crisis in the nation's history, approximately 500 Somalis have been granted at least 18 more months in the U.S. after Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen opted to renew the country's temporary protected status July 19.

Making a Difference: In South Sudan, with civil war violence showing no end in sight, the greatest challenge is to somehow supply food and clean water to several thousand internally displaced persons who have very little, and in many cases, absolutely nothing.