Security for Syria’s religious minorities’ is disastrous, say religious freedom advocates November 8, 2025By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Religious Freedom, World News Continued attacks on Christians and other minorities in Syria at the hands of Islamists, some affiliated with the new Syrian interim government, call into question whether the war-torn country can rebuild without first securing its people.
Pope welcomes Palestinian leader; discusses Gaza, peace November 6, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a Vatican-Palestinian agreement recognizing the State of Palestine and guaranteeing the freedom of the Catholic Church in the territory.
With Gaza Strip situation fragile, Christian’s ancient presence in Holy Land ‘threatened’ October 30, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News In the Gaza Strip, the fragile calm following the Oct. 13 Israel-Hamas peace deal has brought little relief to the enclave’s small Christian community.
Gaza ceasefire tested as Israel and Hamas each say the other violated agreement October 29, 2025By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News President Donald Trump’s ceasefire agreement in Gaza was tested Oct. 28 as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israeli military to conduct strikes in Gaza as his government alleged Hamas violated a White House-backed ceasefire agreement by firing on Israeli forces and failing to return the remains of deceased hostages.
Tehran metro station dedicated to Mary a call to follow her on path of peace, cardinal says October 24, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Marian Devotion, News, World News The new underground metro station in Tehran dedicated to the Virgin Mary offers an opportunity for daily commuters to reflect on God’s love for all, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Mathieu of Tehran-Isfahan said.
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.
