Lebanon’s cardinal urges prayer, guidance as its president visits the White House July 21, 2026By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Lebanon’s Cardinal Bechara Rai, the patriarch of the country’s Maronite Catholic Church, has urged for prayer and guidance as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun makes a critical visit to the White House July 21 to present President Donald Trump with a plan on how to disarm the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group and secure Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon.
For Gaza Christians, World Cup final offers brief respite from horrors of war July 20, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Heated rivalries among soccer fans bubbled to the surface in the lead-up to the World Cup Final that ultimately saw Spain clinch a 1-0 victory over Argentina in an intense match. Yet for Christians in Gaza, the final game was a much-needed moment of joy and a reprieve from the hardship and suffering of war.
US Franciscans appeal for help in ending Israeli settler violence against Christians July 15, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Franciscans in the United States urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to help stop increased attacks against Christians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
Washington Roundup: US-Iran MOU begins; SCOTUS takes up ICE bond hearings; FDA abortion suit filing June 20, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News The Trump administration signed a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, with Iranian officials, a tentative framework to end the war in Iran, but uncertainty remained about an end to the conflict.
Trump and Iran reach tentative deal to end war, but obstacles to peace remain June 16, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News WASHINGTON (OSV News) — After President Donald Trump, Pakistani mediators, and Iranian officials said a framework has been reached for a deal to end the war in Iran, a Catholic expert in peacekeeping said that while there is cause for optimism, key obstacles remain. Trump said June 14 that an agreement had been reached, and […]
Israeli soldiers punished after desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon May 12, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News An Israeli soldier has been sentenced to 21 days of military detention for placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, while another soldier who photographed the act received a 14-day sentence, the Israeli army said May 11.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pope Leo XIV discuss Iran war at Vatican meeting May 7, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on May 7, discussing the war in Iran, humanitarian aid and what the Vatican described as “the need to work tirelessly to promote peace,” amid ongoing tension between President Donald Trump and the pope.
Historic Catholic church in Mozambique destroyed in ‘scene of terror’ by Islamic extremists May 5, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News A Catholic church in northern Mozambique was targeted in an attack by the Islamic State group that has carried out attacks against Christians and Muslims in the country since 2017.
Christian sites under attack in Holy Land as violence and displacement intensify May 4, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News After May 2 news reports that Israeli bulldozers demolished Holy Savior Christian school in the village of Yaroun, in southern Lebanon, the Israeli Defense Forces said that while some damage was caused, they denied “demolishing” the site with bulldozers.
Catholic maritime ministries urge prayer for seafarers trapped amid Hormuz blockade April 27, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News As the U.S. and Iran face off over the Strait of Hormuz, Catholic maritime ministry leaders are calling for prayer and support for the thousands of souls trapped at sea amid the war.
Pope condemns killings in Iran, speaks on migration, same-sex blessings April 23, 2026By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV, who has repeatedly called for peace and dialogue in the Middle East, went a step further April 23, condemning the unjust taking of life by governments as violence continues in Iran.
Archbishop Lori urges respect, dialogue after Trump-pope tensions April 16, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, Local News, News Archbishop William E. Lori on April 16 urged civility and prayer following recent public exchanges between the U.S. president and Pope Leo XIV, warning that harsh rhetoric risks deepening divisions and undermining the common good.
