Holy Land

The Latest

Pope Francis gives the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 2, 2013.

Pope Francis prays for peace during Angelus

Jul 13, 2014

By Elise Harris

Following his reflections on the Sunday’s Gospel parable of the sower and the seed, Pope Francis called for peace in... Read more

(L-R) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Pope Francis, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Invocation for Peace in the Vatican Gardens June 8.

Vatican prayer meeting brings hope for Holy Land peace

Jun 10, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

Pope Francis’ recent prayer meeting with the Israeli and Palestinian presidents is a call for peace in the region that... Read more

(L-R) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Pope Francis, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Patriarch Bartholomew I at the Invocation for Peace in the Vatican Gardens June 8.

Pope prays for peace with Israeli and Palestinian presidents

Jun 8, 2014

Pope Francis welcomed the presidents of Israel and Palestine to the Vatican on Sunday evening for an unprecedented meeting of... Read more

A view of Jerusalem with the Dome of the Rock and the Wailing Wall.

Three faiths pray for Holy Land peace

Jun 8, 2014

Representatives of Judaism, Christianity and Islam said prayers from their respective religious communities at Sunday’s historic “Invocation for Peace” at... Read more

Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem was closed on May 27, 2014 after an arson attack set fire to crosses in the church the day before.

Holy Land: Vandal tries to set fire to Dormition Abbey

May 28, 2014

As Pope Francis concluded his trip to the Holy Land on May 26, an unknown man attempted to set fire... Read more

Entrance the childrens section in Jerusalems Yad Vashem holocaust memorial on May 23, 2014

Pope's Yad Veshem visit lauded for interreligious significance

May 23, 2014

By Elise Harris

A local youth has praised Pope Francis’ decision to visit Jerusalem’s Yad Veshem holocaust memorial during his Holy Land trip,... Read more

Basilica of the Agony located on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, next to the Garden of Gethsemane.

Pope's Holy Land visit sparks US call for dialogue

May 22, 2014

By Adelaide Mena

Catholic and Eastern Orthodox leaders in the U.S. celebrated the closeness between the two churches, recommitting to continued dialogue as... Read more

Children to receive First Communion at papal Mass in Jordan

May 21, 2014

Some 1400 boys and girls from Jordan will receive First Communion during the Mass Pope Francis will celebrate on the... Read more

Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See Dr. Zion Evrony speaks with CNA on May 20, 2014

Ambassador: diversity of papal delegation speaks of dialogue

May 21, 2014

By Elise Harris

In comments made to CNA, the Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See noted that the presence of both a rabbi... Read more

Jerusalem.

Seminarians in the Holy Land anticipate Pope's visit

May 20, 2014

As the Holy Land prepares for the visit of Pope Francis, Catholic seminarians are praying for the visit's success and... Read more

Gustavo Adolfo Franco Picaza of Maracaibo, Venezuela holds a sign with his gratitude for winning the contest.

Venezuelan wins trip to Holy Land for Pope's visit

May 16, 2014

A 22-year-old Venezuelan man has won a contest held by Israel’s Ministry of Tourism to travel to the Holy Land... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on April 16, 2014

Pope's trip to Holy Land a historic milestone, ambassador says

May 13, 2014

By Elise Harris

During a press briefing on Pope Francis’ upcoming trip to the Holy Land, the Israeli Ambassador to the Holy See... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 13, 2013

New prayer released for Pope's Holy Land pilgrimage

May 7, 2014

The priest who is organizing Pope Francis’ upcoming pilgrimage to the Holy Land has written a special prayer for the... Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowds outside the Basilica of St. John Lateran on April 7, 2013

Schedule for Pope’s Holy Land visit released

Mar 27, 2014

By Elise Harris

The Holy See has officially published the itinerary for Pope Francis’ upcoming trip to the Holy Land, during which he... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience on October 2, 2013.

Argentine rabbi: Pope's visit to Holy Land could foster peace

Jan 16, 2014

Rabbi Abraham Skorka, rector of the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary, believes that Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the Holy Land... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square Oct. 13.

Pope Francis announces pilgrimage to Holy Land

Jan 5, 2014

Pope Francis has announced that he will make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land this coming May to mark a... Read more

Archbishiop Vencenzo Paglia (right) and Salvatore Martinez (left) present the International Family Center in Nazareth on April 16, 2013.

Vatican unveils plans for International Family Center in Nazareth

Apr 16, 2013

The Vatican is moving ahead with plans to build the International Family Center in Nazareth, a complex that will include... Read more

President Mahmoud Abbas (front center) of the Palestinian Authority celebrates recognition with his delegation in the General Assembly Hall on Nov. 29, 2012.

Holy See welcomes UN recognition of Palestine

Nov 30, 2012

The Vatican "welcomed with favor" the U.N.'s vote to allow Palestine to become a non-member Observer State, and pressed for... Read more

A mother holds her newborn at Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem.

Advent calendar to promote work of Bethlehem hospital

Nov 29, 2012

Supporters of Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem will launch an internet Advent calendar to help the world learn more about... Read more

Graffiti marks the entrance of the Convent of Saint Francis on Mount Sion.

Anti-Christian graffiti hits Franciscan convent in Jerusalem

Oct 2, 2012

Vandals sprayed graffiti insulting to Jesus on the walls of a Franciscan convent on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, echoing a... Read more