Middle East - Africa News

Gaza-based journalist Akram Al Satarri spoke with “EWTN News Nightly” anchor Tracy Sabol from Khan Yunis about the state of the southern area of the Gaza Strip, Jan. 3, 2024.

Gaza journalist says escalation of war is ‘inevitable’ 

Jan 4, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Gaza-based journalist Akram Al Satarri spoke with “EWTN News Nightly” about the state of the southern area of the Gaza... Read more

A man walks through the rubble of destroyed buildings following strikes on the the town of Naqura in southern Lebanon close to the border with northern Israel on Jan. 4, 2024. Four Hezbollah fighters were killed overnight in southern Lebanon, the Iran-backed movement announced on Jan. 4, in what Lebanese state media said were Israeli strikes on the border town of Naqura.

Hezbollah-aligned group accuses Lebanese Catholic bishops of treason

Jan 4, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

The two bishops were said to have attended a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog that is held annually by... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, spoke about the "courage" and the "madness" of working for peace during his homily during the  Mass of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God, on Jan. 1, 2024, in the Pro-Cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate, in Jerusalem.

The Church in the Holy Land rings in the new year with pleas for peace

Jan 1, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa challenged Christians of the Holy Land to “make a difference.” Read more

Father Patrick Desbois leads Yahad-In Unum, an organization created to the locate the sites of mass graves of Jewish victims of WWII Nazi mobile killing units.

French priest and Holocaust expert counters attempts to exploit Jesus for anti-Israel agenda

Dec 28, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Father Patrick Desbois said in an interview this week that “if he had been born today, Jesus would be a... Read more

Moral theology professor Joseph Capizzi speaks with Tracy Sabol on “EWTN News Nightly” Dec. 22, 2023.

CUA theology dean: Just war doctrine requires Israel to avoid civilian casualties

Dec 28, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Joseph Capizzi, a professor of moral theology and ethics at the Catholic University of America, said the Israeli military “cannot... Read more

This image made from an AFPTV video taken in the Nigerian village of Maiyanga on Dec. 27, 2023, shows families burying in a mass grave their relatives killed in deadly attacks conducted by armed groups in central Plateau State. The death toll from a series of attacks on villages in central Nigeria has climbed to almost 200, local authorities said.

Christian villages in Nigeria reeling after Christmas attacks leave nearly 200 dead

Dec 27, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Catholic leaders and others demand government action as victims are buried in mass graves.  Read more

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, presides over the Christmas Midnight Mass in the Church of St. Catherine in Bethlehem. With him, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, papal envoy, H. E. Adolfo Tito Yllana, Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine, and the bishops of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem concelebrated. Dec. 25, 2023.

Midnight Mass in Bethlehem: Patriarch addresses Gazan Christians, calls for end to war

Dec 25, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

“It is not enough to talk about a cease-fire; we don’t want a cease-fire, we want the hostilities to end,”... Read more

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, 2023.

Israel-Hamas war casts pall over Christmas Eve vespers in Bethlehem

Dec 24, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

At Bethlehem’s Basilica of the Nativity, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over the first vespers of Christmas. Read more

A moment at the vigil in preparation for Christmas held on Dec. 22, 2023, at the Church of St. Saviour in Jerusalem.

Catholics in the Holy Land gather at prayer vigil to prepare for Christmas

Dec 23, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

The weekend before Christmas began with an evening of prayer and music at the Church of St. Saviour, the Latin... Read more

On Dec. 21, 2023, leaders of the three communities responsible for the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher took part in a meeting for the presentation of the work in progress in the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem in 2023. From left to right: Father Francesco Patton, custos of the Holy Land; H. B. Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem; and H. B. Nourhan Manougian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Experts announce latest in restoration work on Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher 

Dec 22, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

New updates on the ongoing work at one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem were presented recently to leaders of... Read more

Olive harvest season in the southern border town of Rmeish, Lebanon, in the midst of a crisis situation.

Almost all Christians have fled southern Lebanon amid Israel-Hezbollah bombing

Dec 21, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shia militant group in Lebanon, began attacking Israel at the Israeli-Lebanese border following the beginning of the... Read more

Injured parishioners receive Communion on the third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 17, 2023, at Holy Family Parish in Gaza.

After military review, IDF again denies killing two women at Gaza Catholic church

Dec 21, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said last week that on Dec. 16, a sniper of the IDF “murdered two Christian... 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

Members of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM).

Bishops in Malawi declare ‘blessings for same-sex unions of any kind are not permitted’

Dec 20, 2023

By ACI Africa

Bishops in Malawi have prohibited the implementation of the Vatican declaration on the blessing of “same-sex couples” and couples in... Read more

John Kirby, coordinator of the National Security Council for Strategic Communications at the White House.

White House raises concerns with Israel about killings at Catholic church in Gaza

Dec 19, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Spokesman John Kirby said the White House is confident that the Israelis “are not making the slaughter, torture, and rape... Read more

Roman Catholic Church of Holy Family in Gaza City.

Nahida and Samar: Mother and daughter killed in attack on Gaza parish

Dec 18, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

Vatican News reported Dec. 16 that Samar Anton was killed while she was trying to help her mother, Nahida Anton,... Read more

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, speaks at the USCCB fall plenary assembly Nov. 14, 2023.

U.S. bishops renew call for peace after Christian women reportedly killed in Gaza Church

Dec 18, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The U.S. bishops over the weekend renewed their call for peace in the Holy Land amid reports on Saturday that... Read more

Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza at Christmas 2021.

IDF denies responsibility for killing of Palestinian Christians at Gaza church

Dec 18, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

The Israel Defense Forces has denied culpability over the deaths of two Christian Palestinian women who were reportedly killed at... 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

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

Two women killed amid Israeli attack at Holy Family Parish in Gaza, Latin Patriarchate says

Dec 16, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said two women were targeted by an Israeli sniper on Dec. 16. Read more