Palestinians are living in ‘unacceptable’ conditions, pope says September 17, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News As tens of thousands of Palestinians were fleeing their homes as Israel launched a major new ground offensive in Gaza City, Pope Leo XIV expressed his “profound closeness to the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
Pope phones Gaza parish as Israel launches new offensive on city September 16, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Just a few hours after Israel launched a major new ground offensive in Gaza City, Pope Leo XIV called the pastor of the city’s only Latin-rite parish to express his concern, his prayers and his closeness, the Vatican press office said.
Calls from pope to Gaza church bring ‘great joy,’ says parish priest September 11, 2025By Carol Glatz Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Getting phone calls from the pope continues to bring “great joy” to the hundreds of people receiving shelter and support from the only Latin-rite Catholic church in Gaza, the parish priest said.
‘We need to pray a lot,’ pope says after Israeli attack in Qatar September 9, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The “whole situation” in the Middle East “is very serious,” Pope Leo XIV told reporters after Israel launched an attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar.
Archbishop Lori and others visit Holy Land to provide support, hope September 9, 2025By Christopher Gunty Catholic Review Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, Local News, News Archbishop William E. Lori and leaders of the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Near East Welfare Association visited Jerusalem, the Palestinian West Bank and other parts of the Holy Lands Sept. 2-6, connecting with ministries serving those in the conflict area.
Pope meets Israeli president, discusses ‘tragic’ situation in Gaza September 4, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News As Israeli military operations in Gaza continued, Pope Leo XIV met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the Vatican.
Catholic aid workers help rebuild shattered West Bank economy amid war September 1, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News As the Israel-Hamas War nears the two-year mark, Catholic humanitarians are working to create jobs and livelihoods amid the shattered economy of the West Bank, the area between Israel and the River Jordan that is home to more than 3 million Palestinians and some 700,000 Jews.
Pope pleads with Israel, Hamas to end violence August 27, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV appealed to Israel and Hamas to stop the violence that has caused “so much terror, destruction and death.”
Catholic leaders demand end to ‘barbarism in plain sight’ in Gaza August 26, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Catholic leaders from multiple organizations are calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to attacks on Gaza, amid ongoing civilian casualties, famine and threats of forced population transfers.
Vatican ‘appalled’ by situation in Gaza, cardinal says August 26, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News Even though what is happening in Gaza is shocking and prospects for peace in Ukraine seem more complicated than ever, Catholics must continue praying and hoping, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.
Journalists killed in Gaza hospital strike, following global day of prayer for peace August 25, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Journalism, News, World News Days after the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem expressed hope that “hearts can change even in the Holy Land,” at least 20 people — including five journalists — have been reported killed in Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital, located in southern Gaza.
Vatican studying possible papal trip to Turkey, Lebanon August 21, 2025By Cindy Wooden OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News A plan for Pope Leo XIV to visit Lebanon as well as Turkey in late November and early December is being studied, a Vatican official said.
