Obama won’t designate ISIL’s slaughter of Mideast Christians as genocide

Obama won’t designate ISIL’s slaughter of Mideast Christians as genocide

Special to WorldTribune.com Though the pope and the UN have designated Islamic State of Iraq and Levant’s (ISIL) slaughter of Mideast Christians as genocide, the Obama administration is not so sure. “My understanding is the use of that word involves a very specific legal determination that has, at this point, not been reached,” White House […]

Iran’s leader asks Pope to pray for him after ‘cordial talks’

Iran’s leader asks Pope to pray for him after ‘cordial talks’

Special to WorldTribune.com Iranian President Hassan Rouhani asked Pope Francis to “pray for me” as the two met at the Vatican on Jan. 26. The talks “delved into the conclusion and application of the nuclear accord, and the important role that Iran is called upon to play, together with other countries of the region,” the […]

Italy covers naked statues in ‘sign of respect’ for visiting Iran leader

Italy covers naked statues in ‘sign of respect’ for visiting Iran leader

Special to WorldTribune.com Italy on Jan. 25 covered nude statues in deference to the visiting leader of one of the world’s top state sponsors of terrorism. Nude statues at Rome’s Capitoline Museum were covered by large white panels in an effort to avoid any offense to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who met with Italian Prime […]

Iran’s Rouhani takes victory tour with stops in Italy, France and the Vatican

Iran’s Rouhani takes victory tour with stops in Italy, France and the Vatican

Special to WorldTribune.com Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s nuclear deal victory tour will include visits to Italy, Vatican City and France. On Jan. 16, Europe, as well as the United States, lifted sanctions on Teheran after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced Iran had fulfilled all of the measures required under its deal with world […]

Two shepherds with flocks of 1.2 billion each pay first visits to U.S., UN

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Both Pope Francis and China’s President are visiting the United States at the same time. Two men whose paths will nearly intersect, but not touch, in New York at the United Nations are each leaders of 1.2 billion people; the Pope of the Roman Catholic […]

Lebanese minister, Pope Francis warn of ISIL infiltration of refugee flood

Lebanese minister, Pope Francis warn of ISIL infiltration of refugee flood

Special to WorldTribune.com Lebanon’s education minister said that 1 in 50 Syrian refugees attempting to enter Europe may be terrorists sent by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). “You may have, let’s say, two per cent that are radicals,” said Elias Bou Saab. “That is more than enough.” He said militants could be going […]

As Pope Francis beatifies Korea’s martyrs will he acknowledge silenced Christians up North?

As Pope Francis beatifies Korea’s martyrs will he acknowledge silenced Christians up North?

By Donald Kirk, East-Asia-Intel.com The visit of Pope Francis to Korea coincides with the 69th anniversary tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 15, of the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II. The eyes of the world will be on the pontiff as he celebrates Mass in Daejeon’s World Cup Stadium on Asian Youth Day while […]

World shrugs as ISIL targets Christians, Mideast returns to Middle Ages

World shrugs as ISIL targets Christians, Mideast returns to Middle Ages

PARIS — The headlines seem from another era, if not century; that of Christian persecution by militant Islam in the Middle East. Yet the modern political responses to this age-old conflict appear ambivalent to what’s emerged as an organized attempt by the militant Islamic State of Syria and Levant to impose a caliphate both on […]

The World in 2014: America’s retreat has not brought peace on earth

The World in 2014: America’s retreat has not brought peace on earth

John J. Metzler BENNINGTON, VT — It’s that time to consult the snow globe and try to peer ahead at some of the key stories, crises and opportunities which await the world as we prepare for a new year. Indeed 2013 has been marred by new levels of violence, humanitarian disasters, and a perceptible lack […]