Archbishop Broglio: War in Iran likely not justified under Catholic teaching on legitimate defense April 4, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services questioned the legitimacy of America’s war in Iran, arguing that the war is likely not justified under Catholic teaching on legitimate defense by military means, sometimes called just war theory.
Pope: Don’t be paralyzed by mistrust, fear; be catalyzed by Christ to build peace April 4, 2026By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, World News God’s love is stronger than any evil, capable of “driving out hatred” and “bringing down the mighty,” Pope Leo XIV said.
Jerusalem’s Holy Week embraced with silent prayer, intimate liturgies as war continues to escalate April 3, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Holy Week in the Holy Land is unfolding in unprecedented silence, as war-related restrictions have left sacred sites largely without the faithful.
Pope Leo XIV calls Israeli, Ukrainian leaders on Good Friday, urging peace April 3, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, War in Ukraine, World News Pope Leo XIV spoke over the telephone with the presidents of Israel and Ukraine on Good Friday, urging diplomatic solutions and humanitarian support amid the ongoing wars in the Middle East and Europe.
In primetime address, Trump cites nuclear threat as polls show most Americans disapprove of Iran war April 2, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Amid polls showing most Americans disapprove of U.S. military action in Iran, President Donald Trump said in an April 1 address to the nation, “we are going to finish the job. And we’re going to finish it very fast.”
USCCB president asks Catholics to ‘pray ardently’ for an end to war with Iran April 2, 2026By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Bishops, Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Catholics during Holy Week should continue to “pray ardently” for a de-escalation of violence in the Middle East, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement April 1.
Jerusalem Church leaders decry death penalty law, ‘lifeless’ holy city ahead of Easter April 1, 2026By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News Church leaders in Jerusalem expressed sorrow over the news of the passage by the Israeli Knesset of a death penalty law — by hanging — for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks on Israelis, noting that Easter, which celebrates life, represents the opposite.
Georgetown’s Qatar campus remains closed as Iran threatens US schools in region March 30, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Colleges, Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News A Catholic university in Qatar has closed its buildings as war in the Middle East continues — with the Iranian regime now explicitly naming American universities as “legitimate targets” in retaliation for strikes on two schools in Iran.
Gaza Christians mark Palm Sunday with hope amid ongoing hardships March 30, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News In an unexpected sign of hope in the Holy Land, Gaza City Christians of Holy Family Parish were able to celebrate Mass with the blessing of palms and a procession for Palm Sunday March 29.
‘Lay down your weapons,” pope says in Palm Sunday call for peace March 30, 2026By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News Marking the start of Holy Week, Pope Leo XIV used his first Palm Sunday Mass to issue a forceful plea for peace, urging an end to war as he reflected on Christ’s Passion.
Jerusalem Church leaders decry escalating war, urge peace efforts amid ‘deep darkness’ March 30, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, World News On the threshold of Holy Week and amid the U.S. and Israel-Iran war gaining new fronts, and harvesting new victims daily, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem issued an annual Easter message, calling the war an “expanding wreckage” and its timing a “deep darkness.”
Israel to allow Church leaders to celebrate Holy Week, Easter at holy sites, Latin patriarchate says March 30, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said an agreement has been reached with Israeli authorities to allow Holy Week and Easter celebrations to take place at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher after they were initially barred from celebrating Palm Sunday.
