Love, forgiveness defeat hatred, vengeance, pope tells chivalric order October 23, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV thanked the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem for supporting the Christian communities in the Holy Land, especially during the “tragic days of war.”
Lebanon eagerly awaits Pope Leo’s visit as ‘pilgrim of peace,’ Catholic clergy say October 22, 2025By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Lebanon eagerly awaits Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming visit, marking his first apostolic trip abroad, Catholic clergy organizers say.
Amid post-war healing, Catholic youth in Israel find unity through faith October 20, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News The retreat, organized by the St. James vicariate for Hebrew-speaking Catholics and the Latin patriarchate’s general secretariat for the youth in Galilee in collaboration with the Youth Pastoral Office of the Latin Patriarchate, brought together about 200 young people from the Arabic and Hebrew-speaking Catholic communities.
Syrian archbishop awarded John Paul prize; he says hope for peace not lost but evil continues October 17, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News For Syrian Archbishop Jacques Mourad of Homs, who was held captive by the Islamic State group for five months in 2015, receiving an award named after St. John Paul II was a hopeful reminder of the late pontiff’s efforts to advance peace and dialogue in uncertain times.
Just and lasting peace possible through establishment of Palestinian state, patriarchs say October 16, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Patriarchs and heads of the churches in Jerusalem said in a joint Oct. 14 statement they “rejoice at the recent enactment of the ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of those held captive,” which they hailed as “auspicious moment,” noting “the work of peacebuilding has only just begun.”
In Egypt, Trump touts ‘phase 2’ of ceasefire deal after Hamas releases living Israeli hostages October 14, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News President Donald Trump said during a meeting in Egypt on Oct. 13 that “phase two has started” of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas in response to a question from a reporter about when the next stage of negotiations would begin.
CNEWA director: Sense of relief as hostages freed, ceasefire holds — but peace vulnerable October 13, 2025By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Scenes of joy, relief and tearful welcomes flooded media across the world Oct. 13 as the remaining Israeli hostages were freed from Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip as part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement.
Amid historic deal, Gaza pastor says little is left after ‘tsunami’ of destruction October 13, 2025By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Historic momentum is felt across the Middle East as thousands gathered Oct. 11 in Tel Aviv, Israel, for the last mass gathering before the hostage release expected to take place Oct. 13, and tens of thousands of Palestinians started to make their way back to their homes in northern Gaza Strip.
Pope: Palestinians, Israelis must see each other as brothers, sisters October 13, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News With the start of the first phase of a peace deal between Israel and Gaza, Pope Leo XIV prayed for a just and lasting peace that respects all people.
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.
Trump says Israel, Hamas ‘have both signed off’ on first phase of White House peace proposal October 9, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Israel and Hamas “have both signed off” on the first phase of a White House peace proposal for Gaza, President Donald Trump said late Oct. 8 in a social media post.
Top Vatican official sees ‘perverse spiral of hatred’ in Israel-Gaza war October 6, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News The Hamas attack on Israel two years ago “was inhuman and indefensible,” the Vatican secretary of state said, and Israel’s two-year-long war on Gaza has had “disastrous and inhuman consequences.”
