Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

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Smoke billows over the northern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment from southern Israel on Dec.14, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Nearly 3 dozen Christians have died in Gaza Strip amid Israel-Hamas war, aid group says

Feb 14, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Nearly three dozen Christians have lost their lives in the Gaza Strip since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war last... Read more

Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See Raphael Schutz meets with Pope Francis on Feb. 2, 2024.

In letter to ‘Jewish brothers and sisters’ Pope Francis laments ‘terrible increase’ in attacks against Jews

Feb 3, 2024

By Ken Oliver-Méndez, ACI Stampa

Pope Francis lamented the “terrible increase in attacks against Jews around the world” that has taken place since the outbreak... Read more

Eight children received their first Communion at Holy Family Church on Jan. 7, 2024, in northern Gaza.

Walking in faith: Eight children receive first Communion in northern Gaza 

Jan 11, 2024

By Zoe Romanowsky

This past weekend, children at Holy Family Parish in northern Gaza received first holy Communion in the midst of war... Read more

The Missionaries of Charity convent located on the compound of Holy Family Parish, the only Catholic church in Gaza, was damaged by rocket fire on Dec. 16, 2023.

Convent in Gaza uninhabitable after taking fire; residents take refuge in parish church

Dec 20, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

The convent, which was home to over 54 disabled persons as well as three religious sisters, was greatly damaged by... Read more

Father Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, presides over the solemn Mass for the 1st Sunday of Advent, on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2023.

Custos of Holy Land discusses the vocation of Christians in the region today

Dec 17, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

Speaking on Advent, Christmas, hope, and faith, Father Francesco Patton reflected on the meaning of the season for Christians who... Read more

The lighting of the first Hanukkah candle during the interfaith event organized by the Kehilat Zion on the first night of Hanukkah on Dec. 7, 2023, in Jerusalem.

PHOTOS: Hanukkah events in Jerusalem focus on finding light, hope, and faith in dark times

Dec 14, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

On Dec. 7 and 12, Hanukkah events in Jerusalem brought together Jews, Christians, and representatives of other faiths to celebrate... Read more

Father Gabriel Romanelli (center), the Latin parish priest of Gaza, is among the celebrants at a Mass to celebrate the feast day of Our Lady, Queen of Palestine and the Holy Land at the shrine dedicated to her at Deir Rafat on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.

‘These are very hard times’: Pastor of Gaza Catholic church gives update on Christians’ plight

Dec 6, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

“The pope called us daily, to check on us,” said Father Gabriel Romanelli in a recent interview where he discussed... Read more

The small procession of Franciscan friars, with the Custos of the Holy Land, arrives in Manger Square, in front of the Basilica of the Nativity, in Bethlehem on Saturday, Dec. 2, the day of the solemn entrance for the beginning of Advent. The Square, typically crowded with local believers and pilgrims, was empty. Dec. 2, 2023.

PHOTOS: Bethlehem welcomes Advent 2023 with quieter procession, still with hope

Dec 4, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

To mark the beginning of Advent, the custos of the Holy Land and the Franciscan friars made their annual procession... Read more

Altar of the Child Jesus and the relic of the manger in the Church of Saint Catherine (Basilica of the Nativity) in Bethlehem.

New Holy Land virtual Advent pilgrimage hopes to fill ‘holy sites with peace’

Dec 2, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

With the Israel-Hamas war, pilgrims can’t get to many holy sites this Advent and Christmas, so the Magdala Tourist Center... Read more

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MAP: Are Holy Land pilgrimage sites threatened by the Israel-Hamas war?  

Nov 30, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Amid the uncertainty of war, what is the outlook for the Holy Land’s many precious sites? CNA spoke to Father... Read more

The road leading from checkpoint 300, one of the main entrances to Bethlehem, to the city is completely deserted. Since Oct. 7, when the war broke out, the gate has been closed. Nov. 18, 2023.

PHOTOS: Christmas celebrations canceled in Bethlehem in the midst of war

Nov 26, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

The patriarchs and leaders of the Churches in Jerusalem have urged the faithful to focus on the spiritual meaning of... Read more

Pope Francis invoke the Virgin Mary as the Queen of Peace and Mother of Mercy at a prayer vigil for peace in St. Peter's Basilica, Friday, Oct. 27, 2023.

Pope Francis to meet with families of Israeli hostages and Palestinians with relatives in Gaza

Nov 18, 2023

By Courtney Mares

A Vatican spokesman said that with these meetings, Pope Francis wants to show his spiritual closeness to the suffering of... Read more

Catholics in Jerusalem gather on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, for a prayer vigil to implore from God the gift of peace for their land.

PHOTOS: Catholics gather in Jerusalem for a prayer vigil for peace

Nov 9, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

The event took place at the Terra Sancta High School of the Custody of the Holy Land, located in the... Read more

Rashida Tlaib, a Democratic representative from Michigan and the sole Palestinian-American member of Congress, addressed a demonstration at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, to show her support for the Palestinian cause.

Congress censures Rep. Rashida Tlaib for ‘calling for the destruction’ of Israel

Nov 8, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The resolution to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib passed in a 234-188 vote, with 22 Democrats joining nearly all Republicans voting... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, delivers his homily at a Mass in celebration of the feast day of Our Lady, Queen of Palestine and the Holy Land at the shrine dedicated to her at Deir Rafat on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.

Latin patriarch of Jerusalem reconsecrates Holy Land to Our Lady, Queen of Palestine

Oct 30, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

“Today, we consecrate once again our Church, our diocese, our land to Our Lady, Queen of Palestine,” Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa... Read more

Friars walking along the Via Dolorosa on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. After two weeks, the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land returned to pray the Way of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.

Franciscan friar’s ‘Way of the Cross’ resumes on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem

Oct 30, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

The Franciscans returned to pray along on the Via Dolorosa after holding the Way of the Cross in the church... Read more

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi talks with other Synod on Synodality delegates at the general congregation assembly Oct. 9, 2023.

Cardinal Zuppi calls Hamas ‘the worst enemy of the Palestinian people’

Oct 26, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“We need a solution that guarantees the rights of the two sides; we really need an authoritative Palestinian leadership,” the... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Oct. 20, 2023.

Cardinal Pizzaballa: For Christians in Gaza Strip, temptation is to look for future elsewhere

Oct 25, 2023

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, speaks about the situation in the Holy Land in a recent interview... Read more

Hussam Abu Sini and Chiara Pezzulich bring their daughter, Marta, to be baptized on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Haifa, Israel.

Catholic couple in Israel baptizes baby in haste: ‘The only hope is in the Church’

Oct 25, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

An Arab-Israeli doctor and his Italian wife chose to baptize their baby sooner than planned and are leaning on their... Read more

The prayer of the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in the Anglican Cathedral Church of St. George the Martyr, Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

Archbishop of Canterbury arrives in Holy Land, joins church leaders in prayer for peace

Oct 20, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

Following an explosion at Al Ahli Anglican Hospital and an airstrike that hit St. Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church today, Christian... Read more