Amid ‘fragile’ ceasefire, Caritas Jerusalem seeks to ‘replant hope’ in Gaza this Christmas December 17, 2025By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News As the celebration of Christ’s birth draws near, the traditional Christmas tree lighting in various places, including Bethlehem and the Vatican, is meant as a sign of joyful expectation for the coming of salvation.
Jerusalem patriarch: Holy Land needs world’s prayers, support amid ‘disaster’ December 11, 2025By Daniel Meloy OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Since the October ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war, people in Palestine are living in abject ruin, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said at a news conference in Plymouth, a western suburb of Detroit.
Bethlehem celebrates first Christmas tree lighting since war as pilgrims slowly return December 8, 2025By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Bethlehem rejoiced with the festive celebration of lighting of a 65-feet Christmas tree at the edge of Manger Square Dec. 6 — for the first time since December 2022 and the start of Israel-Hamas war 10 months later.
The story behind young woman who wept while hugging Pope Leo in Beirut December 5, 2025By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News As Pope Leo XIV was wrapping up his first apostolic trip to Turkey and Lebanon recently, the world was moved by the sight of a young Lebanese woman crying and hugging the pontiff as he was meeting with victims of the deadly 2020 Beirut port explosion.
Unity, dialogue, respect: On first trip, pope highlights paths to peace December 3, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Spending time with Catholics, other Christian leaders and top Muslim clerics in Turkey Nov. 27-Nov. 30 and Lebanon Nov. 30-Dec. 2, the pope made formal speeches about how believing in God as the father of all means recognizing one another as brothers and sisters.
Situation in Gaza remains ‘critical’ despite peace plan, say Catholic leaders December 3, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News As Pope Leo XIV urged in Turkey Nov. 27 that “the future of humanity is at stake” with ongoing conflict in the Middle East and days after a United Nations Security Council endorsement of a U.S.-backed peace plan, Catholic leaders warn that conditions in Gaza remain grave, especially as winter approaches.
Choose the way of peace, pope says as he leaves Lebanon December 2, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV ended his stay in Lebanon with what he termed “a heartfelt appeal: may the attacks and hostilities cease.”
Lebanese have what is needed to build a future of peace, pope says December 1, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Even in the face of difficulties and the constant threat of war, the young people of Lebanon and the country’s religious leaders have enormous resources that can build a better future for all people, Pope Leo XIV said.
Love without fear, pope tells Lebanese church workers December 1, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News At a shrine topped by a 28-foot-tall statue of Our Lady of Lebanon, Pope Leo XIV listened to stories of unshakable faith amid war, injustice and suffering.
Pope urges Lebanese not to give up on peace or each other November 30, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Acknowledging the existence of “circumstances that are highly complex, conflictual and uncertain,” Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lebanon preaching peace.
Holding inflight news conference, pope talks about peace in Gaza, Ukraine November 30, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News On his first foreign papal trip, Pope Leo XIV showed reporters that the inflight news conferences of his predecessors would continue.
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.
