Holy Land

The Latest

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

A salvo of rockets is fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza City toward Israel on Oct. 8, 2023. The death toll surged to almost 1,000 since Palestinian militant group Hamas launched its massive surprise attack on Israel with a barrage of rockets and a massive ground assault, officials on both sides said on Oct. 8.

U.S. bishops call for prayers for peace in Holy Land amid escalating war

Oct 9, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The strike by Hamas resulted in hundreds of Israeli deaths, as well as reports of Hamas insurgents allegedly abducting Israeli... Read more

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks on the red carpet at the premiere of the film "Route 60: The Biblical Highway" on Sept. 12, 2023.

New movie explores Christian and Jewish perspectives of the Holy Land’s history

Sep 15, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The new documentary “Route 60: The Biblical Highway” might be a “road trip” film, but the setting and the characters... Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd at his Sunday Angelus address on Jan. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis: The devil uses ‘three widespread and dangerous temptations’ to divide us

Feb 26, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope also offered advice for how to overcome temptations using the Word of God. Read more

Pope Francis prayed for peace in the Holy Land at the end of his Angelus address on Jan. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis expresses sorrow over ‘spiral of death’ in the Holy Land

Jan 29, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In his Sunday Angelus address, the pope expressed “great sorrow” for the death of Palestinians killed in an Israeli military... Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd at his Sunday Angelus address on Jan. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis decries culture that ‘throws away’ unborn children, elderly, poor

Jan 29, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis decried a culture that “throws away” unborn children, the elderly, and the poor... Read more

With a cane in his right hand, 86-year-old Pope Francis delivers his 10th Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Dec. 25, 2022.

On Christmas Day, Pope Francis prays for Prince of Peace to end ‘third world war’

Dec 25, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 25, the pope offered the traditional “Urbi et Orbi”... Read more

The el Araj archaeological site located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in Israel, believed to be ruins of a church built over the the home of Sts. Peter and Andrew

St. Peter’s house believed to have been found on shore of Sea of Galilee 

Aug 24, 2022

By Edie Heipel

A team of archaeologists uncovered evidence this month that may be the “smoking gun” confirming the location of the house... Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa praying with young Catholics on the Mount of Beatitudes on July 19, 2022

'Hope and Closeness' in the Holy Land: Patriarch Pizzaballa prays with Catholics on Mount of the Beatitudes

Jul 20, 2022

By Courtney Mares

More than 8,000 young Catholics from the United States prayed together Tuesday on the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus... Read more

Carlota Valenzuela.

This Catholic is trekking 4,000 miles across Europe to Jerusalem

May 27, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Carlota Valenzuela began the epic foot pilgrimage in January. Read more

Violence erupts between Israeli security forces and Palestinian mourners carrying the coffin of slain Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh out of a hospital, before being transported to a church and then her resting place, in Jerusalem, on May 13, 2022.

Christian leaders condemn Israeli police violence at Palestinian journalist's funeral

May 16, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Christian leaders of the Holy Land on Monday condemned recent violence at the funeral of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh,... Read more

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Eastern Churches, speaks to EWTN.

How the Good Friday Holy Land collection unites Catholics with the places of Christ’s Passion

Apr 14, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Sandri said: ‘It is truly a providential opportunity for the whole Catholic Church to take advantage of this collection.’ Read more

Crucifix inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Catholics urged to give with ‘new vigor’ to Good Friday Holy Land collection

Mar 24, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Sandri said ‘families have suffered beyond measure’ amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more