“We offer [Christians] three choices: Islam; the dhimma contract - involving payment... if they refuse this they will have nothing but the sword.”
Death of five children on Thursday follows killing of four boys, aged between nine and 11, on Wednesday.
Historical 're-telling' to be based on highly controversial book by Muslim Reza Aslan.
Cave chapel is where Christians of Antioch met in times of persecution and where St Peter was bishop before coming to Rome.
Pontiff critical of 'throwaway culture' and neglect towards young and old in "tired Europe".
Pope hosts “unprecedented prayer initiative” for two Middle Eastern leaders and Patriarch.
Laments that “In some countries you can still go to jail for possessing a Gospel.”
Warning that West's "indifference" to plight of Christians is compounding the crisis.
Fr Frans van der Lugt stayed with Christians unable to flee conflict.
Christians “remain the most persecuted religious group the world over."
British government questioned as to what it is doing to stop the flow of weapons into Syria.
When there is no Christian coherency, and you live incoherently, you are guilty of giving scandal Pontiff warns.
Pope warns “Whenever a worldly mentality predominates, the result is rivalry, jealousy, factions.”
Gao Zhisheng twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for defending China's persecuted.
Call for “spiritual ecumenism” born of a change of heart and holiness of life.
"We pray that the visit of Pope Francis to the Holy Land will reinforce hope in the region."
Christians are part of the fabric of society, often acting as bridge-builders.
Talks will seek greater protection for Christians and to bring about a unified government.
Mass-goers attending Christmas Day service targeted.
Talks continue over 12 nuns kidnapped on 6 December.
One quarter of Syria’s Christian community are either out of the country or internally displaced.
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin among the 5,000 participants from 110 countries.
Forty people trapped for over two weeks by fierce fighting between the Syrian army and rebels.
