Holy Land

The Latest

The Basilica of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor in Israel.

Forest fire in Israel endangers Basilica of the Transfiguration

Jul 26, 2019

A forest fire in the northern region of Israel is threatening the Basilica of the Transfiguration of Christ, according to... Read more

Children amid destroyed buildings in Gaza.

CRS welcomes senators' call for humanitarian funding to West Bank, Gaza

Apr 17, 2019

Catholic Relief Services was among 18 organizations that have welcomed the introduction of a Senate Resolution calling on the Trump... Read more

Newborn babies at the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem. Photo: Courtesy of  Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem Foundation

There's room for newborn babies at Bethlehem's Catholic hospital

Dec 20, 2018

By Kevin J. Jones

A half mile away from the Nativity Church, the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem also strives to be a special... Read more

Jordan River flowing to the Dead Sea.

Site of Baptism of the Lord nears reopening as landmines cleared

Dec 10, 2018

Churches at the site along the banks of the Jordan river where Jesus is believed to have been baptized could... Read more

Why the Holy Land is the 'fifth gospel' of Christianity

Nov 7, 2018

By Kevin J. Jones

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a powerful journey that can ignite Christian faith through seeing the places Jesus walked,... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square March 14, 2018.

Pope Francis decries 'spiral of violence' in Middle East

May 16, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Expressing his sorrow for those who have lost their lives, Pope Francis Wednesday called for peace and dialogue in the... Read more

Bethlehem emigrants open shop to support Christian artisans in Holy Land

May 3, 2018

By Perry West

A Catholic goods shop opened its first brick and mortar store last month, presenting a wide variety of merchandise which... Read more

Children amid devastated buildings in Gaza.

As Palestinian Christians flee Gaza, priest expresses grave concern

Apr 9, 2018

In the past six years the number of Christians in the Gaza Strip has plummeted from 4,500 to just 1,000,... Read more

The remains of St. Mary's Syrian Orthodox church in Homs, Syria.

Good Friday collection will aid Christians in Middle East

Mar 12, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

As the Vatican’s annual Good Friday Collection approaches, the head of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches has encouraged people... Read more

Classroom.

Catholic schools in US, Holy Land create pen-pal program

Mar 8, 2018

As a sign of solidarity with Catholics in the Middle East, the National Council of Catholic Women has set up... Read more

Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre to re-open after taxing dispute

Feb 27, 2018

Christian leaders are re-opening the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the city backtracked on proposals seen as... Read more

Holy Land pilgrimages on the rise, despite political tensions

Feb 7, 2018

By Perry West

While the transition of the American embassy to Jerusalem has exacerbated regional tension in recent months, the number of Christian... Read more

The view of the West Bank and Israel from Mount Nebo.

The Memorial of Moses reopens, where he viewed the Promised Land

Oct 18, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

After 10 years of renovations the Memorial Sanctuary of Moses on Mount Nebo has reopened, highlighting the importance of sacred... Read more

Tower of David.

Possible site of Jesus' trial uncovered in the Holy Land

Jan 5, 2015

Archeologists believe they may have discovered the place where Jesus’ trial before Pontius Pilate took place in Jerusalem.  Read more

Boys play soccer on a basketball court in Jerusalem.

For Holy Land youth, sports center to be ground for dialogue, peace

Dec 4, 2014

Franciscans in the Holy Land have launched a new project to bring together young people from different cultural and religious... Read more

Israeli emergency personnel remove body of an Israeli man killed in a synagogue in Jerusalem on Nov. 18, 2014.

Jerusalem victims had a name, a family, a story, priest recalls

Nov 19, 2014

By Elise Harris, Kevin J. Jones

For one Jerusalem priest, the “horrific” killings at a Jerusalem synagogue show the need to humanize the victims of violence,... Read more

(L-R) Orthodox Archbishop Alexios, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, and Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco view the Orthodox cemetery Nov. 4, 2014, that was hit by Israeli rockets.

How can you support Christians in the Holy Land? Go there.

Nov 16, 2014

If you’re looking for a way to support Christians in the Holy Land, consider making a pilgrimage, advises an Italian... Read more

Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Courtesy Israel Ministry of Tourism.

US bishop: Political will lacking, but Holy Land wants peace

Oct 1, 2014

By Matt Hadro

Christians and Muslims are coexisting peacefully in Israel and Palestine, but the political will for peace is not yet there,... Read more

Bishops from the U.S. make a pilgrimage to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Sept. 11, 2014.

Bishops find hope for religious dialogue at Palestinian university

Sep 28, 2014

By Matt Hadro

Reflecting on their recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land, U.S. bishops have cited relationships there between Christian and Muslim students... Read more