A 15-metre Christmas tree lights up Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem this year after a two-year pause from all festivities in solidarity with the city’s fellow Palestinians in Gaza. By Linda Bordoni and Jean-Charles Putzolu in Bethlehem Celebrations are resuming across the West …

Violence begets death and destruction, revenge begets hatred and pain. News and pictures from Gaza and other war-torn lands show the physical and moral suffering of the innocent and defenceless. By Ibrahim Faltas * Holy Christmas is approaching. The Advent journey prepares us for the coming of the One who …

By Andrea Tornielli The Israeli–Palestinian conflict has long been a source of debate and polarization. The war now raging in Gaza, and the controversies surrounding it, have made this phenomenon even more extreme, if that were possible. Intense—at times extreme—polarizations run through much of civil society in many countries around …

By Kate Quiñones CNA Staff, Jul 28, 2025 / 18:34 pm The Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication reiterated its long-standing call for recognition of Palestine statehood amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict after France announced last week it would recognize the region’s statehood. The editorial manager for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, Andrea …

The Christian village of Taibeh in the West Bank was once again targeted by extremist Israeli settlers in a nighttime attack, despite recent high-level visits meant to deter such violence. Local leaders are calling for impartial investigations, as official responses have failed to hold perpetrators accountable, drawing concern from international …

By Kate Quiñones CNA Staff, Apr 15, 2024 / 18:15 pm Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York is “safe” after he took shelter in Jerusalem as Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles over Israel beginning in the late hours of April 13. Dolan, who leads the Archdiocese of New …

By Tyler Arnold Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 1, 2024 / 16:20 pm Three pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested after disrupting the Saturday evening Easter Vigil Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City as the faithful were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Protesters entered the cathedral about 45 minutes into …

St. John Climacus was born around the year 525 in Palestine. As a youth, he excelled in his studies and was highly regarded by his peers for his knowledge. At the age of 16, John decided to leave the world and retired to a hermitage near the base of Mount …

Washington D.C., May 13, 2021 / 09:01 am America/Denver (CNA). The U.S. bishops’ conference offered prayers for peace in the Holy Land on Thursday, as conflict between Israel and Hamas flared up this week. “We are greatly saddened that simmering tensions erupted into violence in the Holy Land this week,” …

by Hannah Brockhaus Rome Newsroom, Jan 10, 2021 / 03:52 pm MT (CNA).- For the first time in over 54 years, the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land were able to offer Mass on their property at the site of Christ’s baptism, located in the West Bank. …