Damascus

According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, Israel has launched assaults on the Mazzeh neighborhood in Damascus. This reported activity comes just one day after a barrage of airstrikes targeting what Israel claimed were militant locations in the Syrian capital. This morning, explosions were noted in areas surrounding Damascus. SANA reported, "Israeli aggression targets the Mazzeh district in Damascus," although no additional information was provided. Israel has yet to respond publicly to these accusations. The Mazzeh…

Pope Francis has recently elevated a new cadre of saints to the Church's venerable roll, canonizing fourteen distinguished individuals. Among them are the "martyrs of Damascus," who met their untimely demise in Syria during the Ottoman Empire—a poignant reflection of the ongoing tribulations faced by Christians. During a grand ceremony held in Saint Peter's Square, amidst a gathering of thousands of devoted Catholics from around the globe, Francis led the canonization rite. He declared, "We enroll them among the saints,…