Lebanese anti-government protesters raise their hands as Lebanese riot policemen stand guard and block a road leading to the parliament building, during a protest against the on-going trash crisis and government corruption, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. Hundreds of Lebanese protesters pushed through a security cordon as they marched toward parliament on Sunday, the latest in a series of demonstrations that began with a trash crisis but has since expanded to target the country's political class. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

Lebanese anti-government protesters shout slogans as they hold Lebanese flags during a protest against the on-going trash crisis and government corruption, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. Hundreds of Lebanese protesters pushed through a security cordon as they marched toward parliament on Sunday, the latest in a series of demonstrations that began with a trash crisis but has since expanded to target the country's political class. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)

XWH05. Beirut (Lebanon), 20/09/2015.- Lebanese anti-riot policemen block a road leading to the parliament building, during a protest at downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 20 September 2015. Lebanese activists from 'You Stink' movement gathered to protest against the ongoing garbage crisis, calling for the resignation of the government. Heaps of garbage have been piling up around Beirut and other parts of the country after the government was unable to replace the contractors who collect rubbish. Many Lebanese see this as a manifestation of a dysfunctional government that is unable to carry out basic functions. (Protestas, Líbano) EFE/EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

XWH05. Beirut (Lebanon), 20/09/2015.- Lebanese anti-riot policemen block a road leading to the parliament building, during a protest at downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 20 September 2015. Lebanese activists from 'You Stink' movement gathered to protest against the ongoing garbage crisis, calling for the resignation of the government. Heaps of garbage have been piling up around Beirut and other parts of the country after the government was unable to replace the contractors who collect rubbish. Many Lebanese see this as a manifestation of a dysfunctional government that is unable to carry out basic functions. (Protestas, Líbano) EFE/EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

BEIRUT (AP) — Hundreds of Lebanese protesters pushed through a security cordon as they marched toward parliament on Sunday, the latest in a series of demonstrations that began with a trash crisis but has since expanded to target the country's political class.

Thousands marched through the streets of Beirut earlier in the day to press their demands for holding government officials accountable and new parliamentary elections. They also called for a sustainable solution to the trash piling in the streets of Beirut.

Security forces blocked off streets leading to the parliament building, the final destination of the rally. The protesters raised their hands in the air to show they were unarmed, chanting "peaceful."

"The people are the source of authority," protest organizer Ajwad Ayyash told the crowd, which was thinning by evening. "This is the square of the people. And we insist we must enter it so that we can have elections."

Washington D.C., Sep 18, 2015 / 04:22 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The presence of LGBT activists and other controversial guests at the White House welcoming ceremony for Pope Francis has reportedly drawn concern at the Vatican.

A senior Vatican official has said the Holy See is concerned that any photos of the Pope with the controversial guests could be interpreted as an endorsement, Wall Street Journal writer Francis X. Rocca reported Sept. 17.

The White House directly invited some guests to the Sept. 23 South Lawn ceremony, including retired Episcopal Bishop V.Gene Robinson. His election as the first openly gay Episcopalian bishop helped split the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

By Matt Hadro

Washington D.C., Sep 18, 2015 / 05:01 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Syrian natives who have ministered to refugees from the civil war there are trusting in God to protect their fellow Christians.

There are many “satans” in the world, but “there’s a lot right now in Syria and Iraq,” Christian minister Joseph Sleman told an audience Sept. 18 at a religious freedom summit co-sponsored by Baylor University and hosted by the Catholic University of America, in Washington, D.C.

Sleman and his wife Hannah described a list of horrors perpetrated by the Islamic State against Christians in Syria amid a years-long civil war. “The blood is shouting from this land,” Hannah said.