Israeli soldiers punished after desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon May 12, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News An Israeli soldier has been sentenced to 21 days of military detention for placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, while another soldier who photographed the act received a 14-day sentence, the Israeli army said May 11.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pope Leo XIV discuss Iran war at Vatican meeting May 7, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on May 7, discussing the war in Iran, humanitarian aid and what the Vatican described as “the need to work tirelessly to promote peace,” amid ongoing tension between President Donald Trump and the pope.
Historic Catholic church in Mozambique destroyed in ‘scene of terror’ by Islamic extremists May 5, 2026By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News A Catholic church in northern Mozambique was targeted in an attack by the Islamic State group that has carried out attacks against Christians and Muslims in the country since 2017.
Christian sites under attack in Holy Land as violence and displacement intensify May 4, 2026By Paulina Guzik OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News After May 2 news reports that Israeli bulldozers demolished Holy Savior Christian school in the village of Yaroun, in southern Lebanon, the Israeli Defense Forces said that while some damage was caused, they denied “demolishing” the site with bulldozers.
Catholic maritime ministries urge prayer for seafarers trapped amid Hormuz blockade April 27, 2026By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News As the U.S. and Iran face off over the Strait of Hormuz, Catholic maritime ministry leaders are calling for prayer and support for the thousands of souls trapped at sea amid the war.
Pope condemns killings in Iran, speaks on migration, same-sex blessings April 23, 2026By Josephine Peterson Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV, who has repeatedly called for peace and dialogue in the Middle East, went a step further April 23, condemning the unjust taking of life by governments as violence continues in Iran.
Archbishop Lori urges respect, dialogue after Trump-pope tensions April 16, 2026By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, Local News, News Archbishop William E. Lori on April 16 urged civility and prayer following recent public exchanges between the U.S. president and Pope Leo XIV, warning that harsh rhetoric risks deepening divisions and undermining the common good.
US bishops’ doctrine chair defends Church’s just war tradition after Vance comments April 16, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Shortly after Vice President JD Vance appeared to warn Pope Leo XIV to “be careful” when speaking about theology and taking issue with his description of the U.S. conflict in Iran as unjust, the U.S. bishops’ point-man on doctrine issued a forceful statement on the Church’s teaching about just war theory.
Lebanese Christians mourn rising death toll as war shatters communities, hope April 13, 2026By Dale Gavlak OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News Lebanese Christians are reeling from the death and destruction wrought on their community, caught in the crossfire between Israel and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah militia, a deadly side conflict in the U.S. and Israel-Iran war.
Pope Leo responds to Trump: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ April 13, 2026By Courtney Mares OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Leo XIV said April 13 he has “no fear” of President Donald Trump’s administration and responded to Trump’s criticism by telling journalists that his message to the U.S. president is “the message of the Gospel: Blessed are the peacemakers.”
US cardinals speak out against Iran war, mass deportations in 60 Minutes appearance April 13, 2026By Lauretta Brown OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, Immigration and Migration, News, Vatican, World News Three American cardinals voiced their concerns over the Iran war, mass deportations and more in an interview that aired April 12 on CBS’s “60 Minutes.”
Trump lashes out at Pope Leo amid Iran war rebuke April 13, 2026By Kate Scanlon OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, Vatican, World News President Donald Trump lashed out at Pope Leo XIV on social media and in verbal remarks April 12, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” as tensions escalate in the Mideast.
