Pope arrives in Turkey giving thanks, preaching peace November 27, 2025By Cindy Wooden OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV began his first papal trip speaking of dialogue, peace and thanksgiving — referring to both the holiday and his own gratitude.
Lebanese long for peace ahead of Pope Leo’s visit November 27, 2025By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Lebanese Catholics yearn for the upcoming visit of Pope Leo XIV to achieve something lost in recent years. Signs bearing the pontiff’s photo along newly rebuilt roadways express their longing: “Lebanon wants peace.”
Pope prays for Christians in war zones, especially the Middle East November 27, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics to join him in praying for Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East.
Pope’s first trip to focus on religious harmony, peacemaking November 20, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News By choosing to make his first trip as pope to Turkey and Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV will shine a huge spotlight on the faith Christians share and on the yearnings for peace and prosperity common to all people.
UN vote on Trump’s Gaza plan ‘sends powerful message’ for peace in Holy Land, says Bishop Zaidan November 19, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News The chair of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace told OSV News he was heartened by a United Nations move to approve President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip by installing international transitional governance and military forces there.
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.
