Conflict in the Middle East

Foreign aid deal passes House after months of negotiations

April 22, 2024
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, U.S. Congress, War in Ukraine, World News

A bipartisan coalition the U.S. House of Representatives, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., voted April 20 to approve a $95 billion package providing aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan and other U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region, over the objections of some far-right lawmakers who indicated they would attempt to remove Johnson from his role over the deal.

Experts: U.S. officials must aim to prevent ‘tit-for-tat’ escalation between Israel, Iran

April 16, 2024
By Kate Scanlon
OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News

As the White House responds to Iran’s attack against Israel, Catholic experts said U.S. officials should seek to prevent further escalation in the region.

Stop war from spreading throughout Middle East, pope says in message

April 15, 2024
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News

One day before Iran launched missiles and exploding drones at Israel, Pope Francis sent a message to viewers of Saudi Arabia’s Al Arabiya Network pleading for peace throughout the Middle East.

Cardinal Dolan, delegation continue CNEWA visit in Israel and Palestine, following Iran’s attack

April 15, 2024
By Maria Wiering
OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York said he and other members of a delegation traveling in Israel and Palestine “feel safe and secure” April 14, after Israel defended itself overnight from unprecedented Iranian drone strikes and missiles.

Pope pleads for military restraint in the Middle East

April 15, 2024
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News

The morning after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel, Pope Francis pleaded with nations to avoid a further escalation of the violence.

Take evil seriously, pope says at general audience

April 10, 2024
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News

While intense feelings or drive — passions — are natural, Christians know they must be tamed and channeled toward what is good, Pope Francis said.

Pope meets with family members of Hamas hostages

April 8, 2024
By Justin McLellan
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News

Eight people united in their anguish carried into the papal library posters bearing the faces of their loved ones who are held in captivity by Hamas.

Amid war, Cardinal Dolan to make pastoral visit to Israel, Palestine

April 5, 2024
By Gina Christian
OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York has announced he will travel to Israel and Palestine amid a war now in its seventh month.

CRS workers remain in Gaza after colleagues killed in strike

April 4, 2024
By Gina Christian
OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Disaster Relief, Feature, News, World News

Catholic aid workers in Gaza are determined to continue their mission after a deadly strike killed colleagues from a fellow organization.

War is ‘folly,’ pope says as he leads prayers for Ukraine, Gaza

April 3, 2024
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News

Pope Francis held up a well-thumbed, camouflage-covered pocket edition of the New Testament and Psalms and a small fabric pouch containing a rosary.

Aid workers in Gaza, including at least one Catholic, killed by Israeli strike

April 2, 2024
By Junno Arocho Esteves
OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News

World Central Kitchen, a humanitarian organization that delivers food in war-torn countries, expressed outrage after seven of its workers were killed in an Israeli missile strike in Gaza.

On Easter, pope asks Christ to ‘roll away’ the stones of war worldwide

March 31, 2024
By Justin McLellan
Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News

Just as Jesus removed the stone that sealed his tomb on the morning of the Resurrection, on Easter Christ alone “has the power to roll away the stones that block the path to life” and which trap humanity in war and injustice, Pope Francis said.