Church in Holy Land

The Latest

The road leading from checkpoint 300, one of the main entrances to Bethlehem, to the city is completely deserted. Since Oct. 7, when the war broke out, the gate has been closed. Nov. 18, 2023.

PHOTOS: Christmas celebrations canceled in Bethlehem in the midst of war

Nov 26, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

The patriarchs and leaders of the Churches in Jerusalem have urged the faithful to focus on the spiritual meaning of... Read more

Weekday Mass is celebrated in the Church of Sts. Simeon and Anne in Jerusalem, where the Hebrew-speaking Catholic community (keilla) gathers together.

‘A battle inside us’: Hebrew Catholics in the Holy Land wrestle with challenges of war

Nov 19, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

The Israel-Hamas war has brought challenges to Hebrew Catholics in Israel, but the diverse and vibrant community holds on to... Read more

Catholics in Jerusalem gather on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, for a prayer vigil to implore from God the gift of peace for their land.

PHOTOS: Catholics gather in Jerusalem for a prayer vigil for peace

Nov 9, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

The event took place at the Terra Sancta High School of the Custody of the Holy Land, located in the... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, delivers his homily at a Mass in celebration of the feast day of Our Lady, Queen of Palestine and the Holy Land at the shrine dedicated to her at Deir Rafat on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023.

Latin patriarch of Jerusalem reconsecrates Holy Land to Our Lady, Queen of Palestine

Oct 30, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

“Today, we consecrate once again our Church, our diocese, our land to Our Lady, Queen of Palestine,” Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa... 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

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

Interview with Jerusalem Patriarch Pizzaballa: Christians face coexistence problems, not persecution

Aug 26, 2023

By Elias Turk

“The overwhelming majority of the Israeli population, more than 90%, has nothing to do with [the attacks on Christians],” Pizzaballa... Read more

On Feb. 2, 2023, a vandal desecrated an image of Jesus at the Church of the Flagellation located on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, the route that Christ walked to Mount Calvary, where he was crucified.

American tourist desecrates statue of Christ in Catholic church in Jerusalem

Feb 2, 2023

By CNA Staff

The attack occurred at the Church of the Flagellation located on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, the route that Christ... 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

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Holy Land Christians need more protection, Christian leaders in Jerusalem warn

Dec 16, 2021

By Kate Olivera

Christian leaders in Jerusalem are seeking an “urgent dialogue” with local authorities to discuss further protections for Christians in the... 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

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa blesses the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Jerusalem archbishop blesses city with True Cross relic

Apr 6, 2020

Unable to lead the traditional Palm Sunday procession through Jerusalem, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa blessed the city with a relic of the... Read more

Crucifix inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Good Friday Holy Land collection moved to September due to coronavirus

Apr 2, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Lenten Holy Land collection will be moved to September this year because of the suspension of public Masses in... Read more