Bishop of Derry appeals for churches to remain open, priests to be highly visible in churches and communities, and that technology be used to reach the lonely, frightened and self-isolating.

Since it was founded by the Spiritan congregation in 1999, SPIRASI has provided rehabilitative supports to over 4,500 survivors of torture from over 100 different countries.

Those interested in entering the poetry competition are encouraged to explore a local to global perspective and reflect on Ireland’s own history of hunger and migration.

In Syria there is no place for the usual consumerist frenzy, so the lights of the Christmas tree and the Christmas crib have once more become a sign of salvation. Aid to the Church in Need charity, which works with people in Syria, stated that many families there are in makeshift shelters, just like the Holy Family in Bethlehem.

In an address to mark the quincentenary of the Reformation, Archbishop Michael Jackson said the challenge to universities is whether it is still really necessary to be ‘anti-religious’.

“The world is watching as we abandon our commitments to American values. These actions ... lower our estimation in the eyes of the many peoples who want to know America as a defender of human rights and religious liberty”.

Donations to the organisation’s Christmas appeal will fund development and humanitarian projects throughout the developing world.

Language of love creates event like ‘meeting of two families’ in Kildare.

Syrian children gave Francis a collection of their drawings, and the Pope showered them with toys and other gifts.

There are currently 170 children in Calais who have close family in the UK, and at the current rate of reunification, many will face another winter in Calais.

Refugees are people like everyone else, who have been deprived by war of their homes, their jobs, their parents and their friends, Pope Francis stresses.

The Vatican will take care of the costs involved in housing and looking after these Muslim refugees.

Jesuit Fr Peter McVerry warns that there are a lot more people “on the edge of homelessness” than is realised.

“In 2014, people held hundreds of ‘Trad for Trócaire’ sessions all across the country and raised a total of €65,000.”

Chair of Trócaire, Bishop William Crean, expresses “grave concern” for the 1.7 million Syrian refugees dependent on World Food Programme voucher scheme.

Pontiff calls for "urgent" solution to Syrian conflict.