Middle East
The Latest
Pakistan ends mandatory Islamic studies for non-Muslim students
Pakistan is ending its mandatory study of Islam for non-Muslim children in first through 12th grade and implementing a new... Read more
Two women killed amid Israeli attack at Holy Family Parish in Gaza, Latin Patriarchate says
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said two women were targeted by an Israeli sniper on Dec. 16. Read more
U.S. bishops renew call for peace in the Holy Land
The U.S. bishops are renewing their call for peace in the Holy Land as the Israel-Hamas war moves towards it... Read more
Vatican, Iranian foreign ministers discuss Israel-Hamas war amid risk of wider conflict
Vatican foreign minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher spoke by phone with his counterpart in Iran on Monday morning regarding the Israel-Hamas... Read more
Catholic Relief president on aid to Gaza: Let’s ‘get it going,’ ‘take care of these people’
The leader said he was hoping for a quick reopening of border access in Gaza and deployment of aid to... Read more
Hamas says Israel behind deadly hospital blast; Israel blames terrorist group
News reports on Tuesday said Al-Ahli Arabi Baptist hospital had been hit with a strike that killed as many as... Read more
U.S. bishops urge faithful to join in day of prayer and fasting for peace in Holy Land
The Latin Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, last week urged Catholics to devote Oct. 17 to prayer. Read more
Catholic Relief Services calls for ‘immediate humanitarian access’ to Gaza Strip
The charity group on Saturday asked for aid access “before a dire humanitarian situation becomes a catastrophe.” Read more
Dozens killed in surprise Hamas attacks on Israel; Netanyahu says country ‘at war’
Surprise attacks by Hamas on Israel early on Saturday killed at least dozens of people. Read more
After Maronite archbishop detained in Lebanon, U.S. bishops voice solidarity
A Maronite Catholic archbishop was bringing aid back to Lebanon when he was wrongly detained by Lebanese authorities at the... Read more
Armenian patriarch to represent Catholics at Middle East Council of Churches
Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian has led the Armenian Catholic Church since September 2021. Read more
Maronite patriarch threatened by Hezbollah supporters after calling for Lebanese neutrality in region
The leader of the Maronite Catholic Church received threats from Hezbollah supporters this week after calling for an end to... Read more
Pope Francis: ‘Stop using Lebanon and the Middle East for outside interests and profits’
The pope hosted a day of prayer for Lebanon at the Vatican. Read more
Pope Francis appeals to Holy Land Catholics as bishops consecrate Middle East to Holy Family
The act of consecration took place at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Read more
Catholic bishops to consecrate Middle East to the Holy Family
The act of consecration will take place June 27 in Nazareth’s Basilica of the Annunciation. Read more
US bishops urge direct negotiation between Palestine, Israel after UAE deal
The chair of the US bishops' international justice and peace committee on Thursday called gratifying Israel's decision to suspend the... Read more
Christian advocacy group hails Israel-Emirates deal
An advocacy group for Christians and other religious minorities living in the Middle East has praised an agreement between Israel... Read more
World is 'washing its hands' of Lebanon, Maronite bishop warns
Bishop Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles said that the prospect of... Read more
Pope Francis on Middle East: War should never be considered normal
War is madness, Pope Francis told bishops gathered in the Italian city of Bari in a speech that warned against... Read more
U.S. Middle East plan could lead to 'more bloodshed', bishops warn
The proposed Israeli-Palestinian peace plan announced this week is “no solution,” Catholic bishops of the Holy Land said on Wednesday. Read more
