Holy Land

The Latest

Father Nikodemus Schnabel, abbot of the Benedictine Basilica of the Dormition in Jerusalem, speaks during an ecumenical prayer service that took place at the Cenacle on Jan. 25, 2024.

Attack on priest in Jerusalem brings intolerance of Christians back into focus

Feb 8, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Harassment of Christians in the Holy Land is not new. “Education is key,” says an expert on Jewish-Christian relations. Read more

Father Peter Vasko, OFM, and Sister Naomi Zimmermann, FSE.

Living the religious life in the Holy Land: Two Americans share their stories

Feb 2, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

On World Day for Consecrated Life, Father Peter Vasko and Sister Naomi Zimmermann — both Franciscans — are grateful for... Read more

Pope Francis appears in the window of the Apostolic Palace to give his Sunday Angelus address on Jan. 14, 2024.

Pope Francis: ‘War itself is a crime against humanity’

Jan 14, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Speaking at the end of his Angelus address, the pope urged people to pray for all who are suffering due... Read more

Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Cardinal Filoni warns that Christians in the Holy Land are feeling the dearth of pilgrims

Jan 8, 2024

By Eduardo Berdejo

The grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, concluded on Jan. 3 a five-day... 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

Pope Francis takes a figure of the Christ child in his arms at the end of the Vatican's Mass for the Nativity of the Lord on Dec. 24, 2023.

Pope Francis’ Christmas Mass: Jesus was born to save the world

Dec 24, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis shared a message in his Christmas homily for anyone who may be feeling sad or discouraged. Read more

Papal almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.

Pope Francis sends papal almoner to Holy Land for Christmas as a sign of solidarity

Dec 22, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Konrad Krajewski will spend Christmas in Jerusalem, where he will join the local Christian community in praying for peace. 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

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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

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

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

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, patriarch of Jerusalem.

In letter to diocese, Patriarch Pizzaballa urges: ‘It is time to stop this war’

Oct 24, 2023

By CNA Staff

“It will not solve any problem, but rather create new ones,” Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said of the deadly conflict. Read more

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

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem mourns 18 dead in Gaza Christian Church bombing

Oct 23, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

“War and bombs have never solved problems; on the contrary, they always create new ones,” Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said. 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

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Catholics around the world join in prayer for peace in the Holy Land

Oct 19, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Many Catholics worldwide participated in an international day of prayer and fasting Oct. 17, called for by the Church in... Read more

Father Björn Lundberg, center, with the tour group he led to the Holy Land in front of the Wedding Church at Cana.

U.S. pilgrims count their blessings, pray for peace after escaping Holy Land

Oct 19, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

One pilgrimage group from the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, made their way back to the U.S. through Jordan after the... Read more

Israel unleashed an attack in the northern Gaza Strip on Oct. 12, 2023, in Gaza City, Gaza.

U.S. bishops urge faithful to join in day of prayer and fasting for peace in Holy Land

Oct 16, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The Latin Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, last week urged Catholics to devote Oct. 17 to prayer. Read more

A cross atop the seminary in Beit Jala, Palestine.

Vatican calls for peace in Holy Land, offers to mediate between Hamas and Israel

Oct 13, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Cardinal Pietro Parolin said any mediation would have to take into account “the issue of Israeli settlements, security, and the... Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa blesses the congregation at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on April 4, 2021.

Catholic patriarch calls day of prayer and fasting for peace in the Holy Land

Oct 12, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa has urged Catholics to organize times of prayer with Eucharistic adoration and recitation of the rosary. Read more