Holy Land

The Latest

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

A courtyard at the Church of the Nativity stands empty amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus in the Holy Land: How Catholics in the Jerusalem patriarchate are coping

Mar 20, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

As Easter is approaching, the Holy Land is enduring tough times: the sacred sites are shut down because of the... Read more

Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Old City of Jerusalem.

Pilgrimages canceled as new Israeli quarantine comes into effect

Mar 12, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

New Israeli quarantine measures, in effect from Thursday, have led to cancelled trips to the Holy Land, with some pilgrims... Read more

Sunrise in Bethlehem city.

For Gaza Christians, no Christmas travels to Bethlehem and Jerusalem

Dec 13, 2019

Church leaders in Jerusalem are appealing to Israeli authorities to reverse a decision that prohibits the Christmastime travel permits that... Read more

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