Holy Land

Ceasefire between Israel and Iran seems to be holding for now

Kate Scanlon · June 25, 2025

A ceasefire between Israel and Iran seemed to be holding after President Donald Trump expressed frustration June 24 with both countries, telling reporters at the White House that initially Iran violated the deal but "Israel violated it too."

Cardinal Pizzaballa gets send-off as he leaves Jerusalem for Vatican and his first conclave

Judith Sudilovsky · April 24, 2025

In his final words before departing Jerusalem for the Vatican where he will participate in his first conclave, Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa urged the faithful of his diocese to be united in prayer.

Holy Land Easter under shadow of war

Susan Korah · April 17, 2025

Christians in the West Bank and Palestinian territories where Jesus lived, preached the Gospel and died will be observing a subdued Easter due to the ongoing conflict and displacement this year.

Holy Land Franciscans seek support for Good Friday collection

Catholic News Service · April 17, 2025

While pilgrimages to the Holy Land have been few and far between in the past 18 months, hundreds of Franciscan friars celebrate Mass at the sites associated with the life of Jesus each day and continue to support the local Christian populations.

4,000 process in Jerusalem for Palm Sunday

Judith Sudilovsky · April 14, 2025

For the second year in a row, few foreign pilgrims were in attendance at the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives into the Old City of Jerusalem due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. But even the grey skies that threatened rain didn't dampen the spirit of the 4,000 participants.

Crushing municipal taxes threaten Jerusalem churches

Susan Korah · March 28, 2025

Churches in Jerusalem are in dire financial straits and Church-run institutions such as schools and hospitals are in danger of closing as they struggle with a renewed barrage of demands by the city to pay a tax called “Arnona.”

Holy Land pilgrimages on hold despite ceasefire

Tour agencies pushing other Jubilee destinations

Luke Mandato · February 24, 2025

Despite reassurance from Catholic leaders in the Holy Land, planned pilgrimages from Canada to the land of Christ's birth will likely remain unavailable for the foreseeable future.

Hamas returns body of mother of red-headed boys; all were killed while held hostage

Judith Sudilovsky · February 21, 2025

The body of Shiri Bibas -- the mother of two red-headed boys who became a symbol of Israeli hostage suffering, both confirmed dead -- was eventually returned Feb. 21, with the Bibas family confirming Feb. 22 that it was the body of the boys' mother.

Ceasefire overshadows Gaza’s humanitarian crisis

Susan Korah · January 31, 2025

The long-awaited and elusive ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has silenced bombs and halted air raids on the Gaza Strip, for the time being, but the humanitarian situation there is dire, reports the regional director of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.

Pilgrimages are 'safe,' Holy Land church leaders say, telling pilgrims: 'We're waiting for you'

Judith Sudilovsky · January 23, 2025

Catholic leaders in the Holy Land called on Christian pilgrims to return to the region following the implementation of the long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.