The seizure of the city of Aleppo by jihadist rebels leaves an uncertain future for some 25,000 Catholics in Syria.
Churches remain open for now, although there is a curfew imposed by the rebels, and the clergy remain in the country. Bishops of all denominations have called for unity in a climate of uncertainty and fear.
Many neighborhoods and entire buildings have been destroyed in Aleppo, the country's second largest city and a UNESCO heritage site. Humanitarian groups such as the White Helmets are taking stock of the damage and helping to pull civilians out of the rubble.
The attacks even reached a Franciscan school on December 1. The custodian of the school noted that a bomb fell there during the attacks, but that there were no fatalities or injuries.
Syria is now back in the spotlight. The rebels, reignited a war from which the country never recovered. This conflict had already left some 300,000 people dead and some six million displaced.
TR: JD
