Holy Land

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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

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

Holy Land’s Catholic bishops invite Orthodox leaders to contribute to synodal path

Jan 28, 2022

By CNA Staff

They invited their counterparts to share their ‘wisdom and experience.’ Read more

Pope Francis met a delegation affiliated with the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land on Jan. 17, 2022.

Pope Francis: The story of the Holy Land is the 'Fifth Gospel'

Jan 17, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has urged journalists in the Middle East to keep telling stories from the Holy Land. Read more

Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Vandals steal cross from altar of Catholic church in the Holy Land

Aug 23, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The cross had been embedded in an outdoor altar made of volcanic basalt rock that was used for Catholic Masses... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square, April 17, 2013.

Pope Francis appeals to Holy Land Catholics as bishops consecrate Middle East to Holy Family

Jun 27, 2021

By CNA Staff

The act of consecration took place at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Read more

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

Catholic bishops to consecrate Middle East to the Holy Family

Jun 16, 2021

By CNA Staff

The act of consecration will take place June 27 in Nazareth’s Basilica of the Annunciation. Read more

Pope Francis addresses new ambassadors accredited to the Holy See in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, May 21, 2021.

Pope Francis calls for global prayer for peace in the Holy Land

May 21, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The pope was addressing ambassadors newly accredited to the Holy See. Read more

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

Israel-Gaza conflict: Patriarch Pizzaballa asks Catholics to pray for peace and justice

May 18, 2021

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem issued the appeal as the death toll mounts in the Holy Land. Read more

U.S. bishops pray for peace as Israel-Hamas conflict rages

May 13, 2021

The U.S. bishops’ conference offered prayers for peace in the Holy Land on Thursday, as conflict between Israel and Hamas... Read more

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

At Easter Sunday Mass, Patriarch Pizzaballa tells Holy Land Christians ‘nothing is impossible’

Apr 5, 2021

On Easter Sunday, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem urged Christians in the Holy Land to take courage and believe that... Read more

St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox monastery on the Jordan River in the West Bank. Credit: Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida (CC BY 2.0)

Franciscan friars return to site of Christ's baptism after 50 years

Jan 10, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

For the first time in over 54 years, the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land were able... Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, pictured before his appointment as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. Credit: Cristian Gennari/OESSH.

Patriarch Pizzaballa: Clericalism is 'very evident' in Holy Land

Jan 4, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has said that clericalism is “very evident” in the Holy Land. Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa prays in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem Dec. 4, 2020. Screenshot from livestream

Patriarch Pizzaballa makes solemn entry into the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem

Dec 4, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa made a solemn entry into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Friday as the new Latin Patriarch... Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa visits Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel. Photos: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Patriarch Pizzaballa entrusts new mission to prayer of contemplative orders

Nov 24, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa has entrusted his new mission as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to the prayer of contemplative religious orders... Read more

Pope Francis bestows the pallium on newly appointed Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa Oct. 28, 2020.

Pope Francis bestows pallium on new Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

Oct 28, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Wednesday bestowed the pallium on the newly appointed Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.  Read more

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

Pope Francis names new Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

Oct 24, 2020

Pope Francis named Italian Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa as the new Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Saturday.  Read more

Caption: Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

‘The Holy Land changed my life:’ Archbishop Pizzaballa on 30 years in Jerusalem

Oct 22, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa has concluded his four-year mandate as apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.  Read more

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Bishop in Israel says schools are incubating anti-Christian intolerance

Mar 20, 2020

A bishop in Israel has renewed a call for educational leaders to address “bigoted attitudes” in the teaching of young... Read more