Holy Land patriarch welcomes announcement of initial peace deal ‘with joy’ as ‘first step’ October 9, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem welcomed “with joy” the announcement of an initial agreement between Hamas and Israel in an Oct. 9 statement, but also stressed the “absolute urgency” for the “immediate” and “unconditional” entry of humanitarian relief and sufficient aid into Gaza.
Cardinal Pizzaballa welcomes ceasefire talks as first step, urges prayer, perseverance October 6, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News As indirect ceasefire talks began in Egypt between Israel and Hamas Oct. 6 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt — aimed at finalizing a ceasefire deal based on a proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump — the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem lauded it as an “important and long-awaited first step.”
After Oct. 7 attack, Jewish man who chose forgiveness over revenge works for peace October 6, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, News, World News For Maoz Inon, the past two years have been a personal journey from profound loss and anger toward the Israeli government to embracing “radical forgiveness” and working for lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace through InterAct — the NGO he co-founded with Palestinian partners Aziz Abu Sarah and Hamze Awawde.
Oldest organ in Christendom sounded for first time in 800 years, leaving organist speechless September 15, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, World News After 800 years of silence, the pipes from the oldest organ in Christendom played again, filling the reception hall of Jerusalem’s Franciscan Monastery of St. Saviour with the unique sound of the 11th-century liturgical chant, Benedicamus Domino Flos Filius.
Cardinal: When all hope seems to disappear in Holy Land, hope of Christ’s resurrection remains August 20, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille, France, said his visit to the Holy Land was intended as a gesture of solidarity with the local Christian community and a demonstration of support for “all the friends of peace.”
IDF says Gaza Holy Family Parish hit was errant mortar round that veered off course July 23, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News An Israel Defense Forces investigation concluded that the strike on the Holy Family Parish compound on July 17 was the result of an accidental mortar round that veered off course during “operational activity” by IDF troops in the area of Gaza City, the IDF said in a July 23 statement.
Christ is not absent from Gaza, but crucified in the wounded, patriarchs say after visit July 22, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Amid the destruction witnessed during their July 18–20 pastoral visit to Gaza, following the Israeli shelling of the Holy Family Parish church compound that killed three people and injured 10, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III said they found something more enduring — “the dignity of the human spirit.”
Patriarch’s visit hailed ‘a miracle,’ while parishioners in Gaza feel horror, desperation July 21, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Parishioners of Gaza’s Holy Family Church are feeling “horror” and almost a sense of “desperation” after an Israeli tank shell struck the church, killing three elderly people sheltering there and injuring 10, said regional director of the Jerusalem office of Catholic Near East Welfare Association, or CNEWA, Joseph Hazboun.
Huckabee demands Israel punish settlers for ‘act of terror’ on West Bank church July 21, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Religious Freedom, World News U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called the desecration of any holy place an “act of terror” and a “crime” that required “harsh consequences,” following a visit to the West Bank village of Taybeh.
Three dead, Holy Family Gaza pastor injured after mid-morning Israeli attack July 17, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Two people were confirmed dead and several were injured, including a parish pastor, following what initial reports say was a mid-morning Israeli tank attack on the Holy Family Parish Church in Gaza on July 17.
Patriarchs support Christian communities attacked by Israeli settlers in solidarity visit July 15, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News During a solidarity visit to the West Bank village of Taybeh on July 14, the Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of the Holy Land called on Israeli authorities to hold extremist settlers accountable for escalating attacks on agricultural lands and holy sites.
Jerusalem patriarch, back in Holy Land, reflects on conclave, ‘inconceivable’ Gaza situation May 14, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News The importance of continuity and diversity as well as the issues of war and peace were a main topic of conversation for the 133 cardinals as they gathered to vote in the conclave May 7-8, said Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem.
