Custos of the Holy Land

The Latest

Custos of the Holy Land Father Franceso Ielpo speaks with EWTN News in a two-part interview that began airing on “EWTN News Nightly” on Nov. 24, 2025.

Giving people hope is greatest challenge, custos of Holy Land says in U.S. visit

Nov 25, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

The custos of the Holy Land said in an interview with EWTN News that the “greatest challenge” is to be... Read more

Friar Francesco Patton, outgoing custos of the Holy Land.

Outgoing custos of the Holy Land proposes a path to peace

Jul 15, 2025

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Friar Francesco Patton, the outgoing Franciscan custos of the Holy Land, reflects on his nine years in office and proposed... Read more

Father Francesco Ielpo, a Franciscan friar, on June 24, 2025, was appointed the new custos of the Holy Land and guardian of Mount Zion. Previously, since 2022, he was president of the Holy Land Foundation in addition to holding other organizational roles across Italian Franciscan provinces.

Pope Leo XIV approves new custos of the Holy Land amid regional crisis

Jun 25, 2025

By Sanad Sahelia

Father Francesco Ielpo, a member of the Order of Friars Minor, has been named the new custos of the Holy... Read more