Middle East Christians

Prayer continues at Holy Sepulchre amid 'time of trial,' restricted access

Paulina Guzik · March 23, 2026

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre remains a place of continuous prayer despite restricted access to the faithful, according to a statement released March 21 by the Custody of the Holy Land.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem remains closed

Barb Fraze · March 20, 2026

Israeli authorities closed Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre as part of wider closures for security concerns.

Campaign aids Lebanon Christians in crossfire

Susan Korah · March 17, 2026

Despite living in perpetual fear of being caught in the crossfire, the Maronite Catholic population in southern Lebanon has defied evacuation orders, being deeply attached to their ancient homeland and rooted in and invincible faith.

Christians in Holy Land face further despair, suffering, Latin Patriarchate official says

Pope Leo briefed by phone on violence, worsening conditions throughout Holy Land

Junno Arocho Esteves · March 16, 2026

As retaliatory strikes from Iran, as well as from Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, continued, people in the Holy Land -- especially Christians -- face a dire present and an uncertain future.

Slain Lebanese priest hailed as a 'martyr,' commemorated by Pope Leo XIV

Dale Gavlak · March 11, 2026

Lebanese Maronite Catholic priest Father Pierre al-Rahi was commemorated by Pope Leo XIV ahead of the cleric's funeral.

Christians again under siege as Mideast erupts

‘Scapegoats for actions from the West’

Quinton Amundson · March 10, 2026

Among Christians monitoring the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, there is clear and present concern for Christians imperilled by the ongoing explosive violence.

Drone strike on Iraqi Catholic church complex reopens old wounds

Dale Gavlak · March 5, 2026

The Catholic community in northern Iraq has been shaken by the attack of an explosive drone hitting the Chaldean Catholic complex in Ankawa, outside of Irbil.

Historic restoration to begin at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity Grotto after 600 years

Judith Sudilovsky · February 3, 2026

For the first time in six centuries, restoration work will begin at the sacred grotto of Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, where tradition holds Jesus was born. The project represents unprecedented cooperation among Christian denominations.

Christianity is Iran's forbidden fruit

'When freedom happens, people find Christ'

Quinton Amundson · January 23, 2026

Iran is home to the fastest-growing Christian movement in the world. Religious watchdogs, on-the-ground charitable organizations and even Reza Pahlavi, the exiled and dissident crown prince of Iran, have uttered this proclamation.

Cardinal Pizzaballa visits Gaza City's Holy Family Parish before Christmas

OSV News · December 22, 2025

In a sign of closeness as Christmas approaches, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, accompanied by the Latin Patriarchal Vicar Bishop William Shomali and a small delegation, arrived in Gaza Dec. 19 for a pastoral visit to the Holy Family Parish.