Israel-Hamas war

The Latest

Students and teachers from Jerusalem Christian schools walk the Way of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. The yearly event was organized by the Custody of the Holy Land on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, on the occasion of Lent.

In letter to Holy Land Christians, Pope Francis deplores the war, expresses closeness 

Mar 27, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

“Dear brothers and sisters, allow me to tell you once more that you are not alone. We will never leave... Read more

A Palestinian family walks past buildings destroyed in previous Israeli strikes in Gaza City on March 25, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

U.S. Catholic bishops’ conference urges Holy Week prayers for end to Israel-Hamas war 

Mar 25, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

“Thousands of innocent people have died in this conflict, and thousands more have been displaced and face tremendous suffering. This... Read more

Celebration of Mass at Holy Family Parish in Gaza.

Christians in Gaza face ‘worst period’ since start of war, report says

Mar 14, 2024

By Diego López Marina

The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need reported that the Christian community in Gaza “is going through the... Read more

CNA

Vatican’s Good Friday Holy Land collection to aid humanitarian efforts in Gaza 

Mar 12, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The Vatican has overseen the Pontifical Collection for the Holy Land since 1974. Last year it raised more than $7... Read more

Suhail Shadi Abu Dawod with Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of Gaza, on the seashore in Gaza last summer 2023. Romanelli, belongs to the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE), a Catholic clerical religious institute founded in Argentina on March 25, 1984, which Abu Dawod has petitioned to join.

Gaza teen waits to follow vocation: ‘My faith is flourishing amidst the challenges of war’

Mar 11, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Suhail Shadi Abu Dawod was planning to join the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE) in Italy — then the... Read more

Speaking in his Angelus address on March 3, 2024, about the Israel-Hamas war, Pope Francis made an emotional plea for negotiations to reach a deal that both frees the hostages immediately and grants civilians access to humanitarian aid.

Pope Francis urges ‘an immediate cease-fire in Gaza’ that frees hostages, grants aid 

Mar 3, 2024

By Courtney Mares

In his Angelus address on March 3, the pope made an emotional plea for a deal that both frees the... Read more

A picture taken from a position in southern Israel on Feb. 29, 2024, shows smoke billowing over the Gaza Strip amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Vatican reiterates calls for hostage returns, cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war

Feb 29, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin insisted on Tuesday that a “cease-fire” is the only way for the hostages... Read more

On Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, approximately 1,000 children and youth from Christian schools in Jerusalem walked the Via Dolorosa in the Old City, offering prayers for peace. The crowd brought life to the streets of the Holy City for the first time since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war last October.

PHOTOS: 1,000 Christian youth walk the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem for peace

Feb 26, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

“The Way of the Cross… A Way of Peace” was organized by the Custody of the Holy Land and involved... Read more

A view of the separation wall between Israel and the Palestinian Territories from behind a window in the Comboni Sisters' house in East Jerusalem.

These religious sisters are a ‘bridge’ between Israel and the Palestinian territories

Feb 17, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

“By placing ourselves in the middle, we listen to the injustice faced by the Palestinians and also to the fears... Read more

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

Israeli embassy criticizes Cardinal Parolin’s remarks on civilian death toll in Gaza

Feb 15, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The Embassy of Israel to the Holy See this week issued a sharp rebuke of Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s recent remarks... Read more

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

CRS CEO Sean Callahan visits the Holy Land.

In Holy Land visit, Catholic Relief Services head sees ‘hope and resiliency’ amid chaos

Feb 7, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Sean Callahan said he was able to witness the countless displaced individuals and families that have struggled in Gaza since... 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

Students participate in a protest in support of Palestine and for free speech outside of the Columbia University campus on Nov. 15, 2023, in New York City. The university suspended two student organizations, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voices for Peace, for violating university policies.

Antisemitic incidents in U.S. up by more than 350% since start of Israel-Hamas war

Jan 12, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The Anti-Defamation League said that since Oct. 7, when Hamas invaded Israel, “there was an average of nearly 34 antisemitic... Read more

People attend a rally for the release of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza near the U.N. headquarters on Jan. 12, 2024, in New York City.

Hostages taken in Hamas terror attack approach 100th day in captivity

Jan 12, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Over 100 hostages of the conflict are still estimated to be held in Gaza, with advocates and global groups drawing... Read more

CNA

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

A man checks a destroyed building on Jan. 8, 2024, after an Israeli air raid in the village of Kfar Kila in southern Lebanon, amid ongoing cross-border tensions as fighting continues between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza.

Lebanese bishops call for cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war 

Jan 10, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

The bishops also denounced a group aligned with the country’s Islamist militant terror organization Hezbollah for calling for an investigation... Read more

Three Franciscan friars portray the Magi in Bethlehem on the afternoon of Jan. 6, 2024. After the Second Vespers of the Epiphany, they descended in the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where they brought their gifts to the places of Jesus' manifestation.

The Magi reach Bethlehem, finding smaller crowd of faithful amid ongoing war

Jan 7, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

The Magi made their appearance for the recitation of the Second Vespers of the Epiphany, marking the conclusion of the... Read more

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