Israel

Pope Leo calls for end to West Bank violence, pursuit of two-state solution

Junno Arocho Esteves · August 17, 2026

Warning against increased violence in the West Bank, Pope Leo XIV urged world leaders to decisively pursue an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

Defending Israel upholds the unfolding Covenant

Joseph Woodard · June 15, 2026

My son and his brood were recently wined-and-dined by another Catholic family and surprised to discover that this faithful and otherwise intelligent couple had fallen prey to “Jewish conspiracy” propaganda.

Suspect arrested for assault against French nun in Jerusalem

Junno Arocho Esteves · April 30, 2026

Police in Israel announced the arrest of a man suspected in the assault of a French nun working in Jerusalem as a researcher.

Lebanese Christians rejoice over new Christ statue brought by Italian soldiers

Dale Gavlak · April 23, 2026

Lebanese Christians in Debel are celebrating the gift of a new statue of Jesus on the cross after a recent act of desecration by two Israeli soldiers drew global outrage.

Holy Land Catholic leaders condemn Israeli soldier’s desecration of crucifix in Lebanon

Junno Arocho Esteves · April 20, 2026

Catholic leaders in the Holy Land expressed their "unreserved condemnation" after a picture of an Israeli soldier striking the head of a statue of Jesus in Debel, a Christian village in southern Lebanon, went viral on social media.

Sorrow, shock, prayer for Catholics in Middle East as US and Israel strike Iran; Khamenei now dead

Gina Christian · March 2, 2026

Catholics across the Middle East are reeling with shock and sorrow, and responding with prayer, amid joint strikes Israeli and U.S. forces launched on Iran Feb. 28.

Israel bans dozens of aid groups from Gaza, including Caritas, drawing condemnation

Judith Sudilovsky · January 5, 2026

Caritas Internationalis and Caritas Jerusalem are among the 37 international aid organizations that Israel's Ministry of Diaspora Affairs has banned from operating in Gaza by March 1.

Pope Leo, Israeli president speak by phone about Sydney attack, peace in Gaza

Cindy Wooden · December 17, 2025

Pope Leo XIV and Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke by telephone Dec. 17, just days after a terrorist attack on a Hanukkah celebration in Australia led to the deaths of 15 people.

Gaza ceasefire tested as Israel and Hamas each say the other violated agreement

Kate Scanlon · October 29, 2025

President Donald Trump's ceasefire agreement in Gaza was tested Oct. 28 as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israeli military to conduct strikes in Gaza as his government alleged Hamas violated a White House-backed ceasefire agreement.

Amid post-war healing, Catholic youth in Israel find unity through faith

Judith Sudilovsky · October 21, 2025

At first, Grace Rofa, 20, a Catholic Palestinian from Jerusalem, and Reign Arpon, 19, a Filipino member of the Hebrew-speaking Catholic community in Tel Aviv, were unsure what the Oct. 18 "Be Happy Youth Festival" would be like.