Simone Orendain is a freelance multimedia journalist who reports from the Chicago/Midwest area and Asia. A seasoned journalist of nearly 20 years, Simone regularly covers the Catholic Church in Asia and the United States. She was a foreign correspondent based in Manila for six years before returning to the United States in the summer of 2016. In the United States, Simone was an education reporter and regularly covered business and religion. She has covered Pope Francis' visits to South Korea and the Philippines as well as a wide range of subjects including peace talks between Muslim rebels and the Philippine government, China's relations with its Southeast Asian neighbors, and U.S.-Asia military relations.
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Pakistani bishops say they need more help after deadly flooding
Three bishops of Pakistan dioceses most affected by recent deadly monsoon flooding appealed for more funding for emergency food, repairing damaged homes and providing medical needs for the worst-hit victims in their provinces. The South Asian country has been hit hard by record floods caused by monsoon rains and glacial melting since the rainy season started this summer.
Church leaders emphasize need for repentance, atonement for Korean peace
Church leaders seeking peace on the Korean Peninsula emphasized the need for "repentance and atonement" between North Korea and South Korea.
After Marawi, terrorists remain threat in Philippines, officials say
The threat of violent extremism remains in the Philippines even after the end of a five-month siege by terrorists in a southern city, said Catholic and Muslim officials.
Philippine Christian leaders join to help rebuild Muslim-majority city
Christian leaders in Philippines have banded together to help rebuild Marawi, a Muslim-majority city in southern Philippines damaged by five months of occupation by terrorists.
