Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

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Pope Francis greets the crowd during his general audience at St Peter’s Square on October 15, 2014 at the Vatican. (AFP Photo/Filippo Monteforte)

A Portrait of a Progressive Pope

by Amir Taheri | Oct 16, 2014 | Book Reviews

In a curious coincidence, the list of candidates for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize included two religious leaders. The Argentinian parliament nominated Pope Francis for his “efforts to bring peace in Syria.” Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the spiritual leader of most of...

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In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis is welcomed upon his arrival in Amman, Jordan, on Saturday, May 24, 2014. (AP Photo/L’Osservatore Romano, ho)

Pope Francis arrives in Jordan for Mideast trip

by Asharq Al-Awsat | May 24, 2014 | Middle East

Amman, AP—Pope Francis arrived Saturday in Jordan, kicking off a three-day trip to the Middle East that will see him get a firsthand look at the plight of Syrian refugees and witness the toll the civil war next door is taking on Jordan. His plane touched down at...

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Pope Francis (R) meeting with Pope emeritus Benedict XVI during the canonisation mass of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on St Peter’s square at the Vatican on April 27, 2014. (AFP PHOTO / OSSERVATORE ROMANO)

Hundreds of thousands watch two popes become saints

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Apr 27, 2014 | World

Vatican City, Reuters—Pope Francis proclaimed his predecessors John XXIII and John Paul II saints in front of more than half a million pilgrims on Sunday, hailing both as courageous men who withstood the tragedies of the 20th century. Cheers and applause rang out...

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Pope Francis gestures as he delivers his Angelus prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square. Source: AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis

Pope Urges Dialogue with Islam, Says World Must Do More for Poor

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Mar 22, 2013 | World

Vatican City, Reuters—Pope Francis urged the West on Friday to intensify dialogue with Islam, and also appealed to the world to do more to combat poverty. The new pontiff made his appeal in an address to diplomats accredited to the Vatican, sending a message through...

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Pope Francis speaks during a meeting with the media at the Pope VI hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, March 16, 2013. Source: AP Photo/Michael Sohn

Pope Wants ‘Poor Church and Church For the Poor’

by Asharq Al-Awsat | Mar 16, 2013 | World

Vatican City, Reuters—Pope Francis, giving his clearest indication yet that he wants a more austere Catholic Church, said on Saturday that it should be poor and remember that its mission is to serve the poor. The pope made his comments in an audience with journalists,...