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Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus prayer on Sept. 1, 2024, the pope called for peace in the Holy Land, urging the release of the remaining hostages and humanitarian aid for the polio outbreak in Gaza. The pope also expressed his closeness to the people of Burkina Faso after hundreds of people were killed in a terrorist attack there on Aug. 24. Afterwards the pope asked for prayers for his apostolic journey beginning tomorrow to Oceania and Southeast Asia. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Urges Release of Hostages, Aid for Polio Outbreak in Gaza

Sep 1, 2024

The pope appealed for peace in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to continue and also expressed his closeness to the people of Burkina Faso after a terrorist attack there on Aug 24.

Catholics in Gaza are Burying Dead in Muslim Cemeteries

Apr 16, 2024

Muslim cemeteries have opened to receive the bodies of Christians and give them a dignified burial. 

Celebration of Mass at Holy Family Parish in Gaza. | Credit: ACN & Holy Family Parish

Christians in Gaza Face "worst period" Since Start of War, Report Says

Mar 14, 2024

The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need reported that the Christian community in Gaza “is going through the worst period” since the start of the war.

Injured parishioners receive Communion on the third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 17, 2023, at Holy Family Parish in Gaza. The Pontifical Collection for the Holy Land provides community aid and assistance for parochial activities for Holy Family Parish, the only Roman Catholic parish in Gaza. | Credit: Father Gabriel Romanelli/Facebook

Vatican’s Good Friday Holy Land Collection to Aid Humanitarian Efforts in Gaza 

Mar 12, 2024

The Vatican has overseen the Pontifical Collection for the Holy Land since 1974. Last year it raised more than $7 million.

CRS CEO Sean Callahan visits the Holy Land. | Credit: CRS

In Holy Land visit, Catholic Relief Services Head Sees "hope and resiliency" amid Chaos

Feb 7, 2024

Sean Callahan said he was able to witness the countless displaced individuals and families that have struggled in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas conflict began.

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his Angelus address on Dec. 17, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Condemns Reported Israeli Sniper Attack on Gaza Catholic Church

Dec 17, 2023

The Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem reported that two women were shot by the IDF on Dec. 16.

Smoke increases after Israeli airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Oct. 10, 2023. | Credit: Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock

“Our staff is helpless”, Caritas MONA Says as Deadly Raids Continue in Israel-Hamas War

Nov 27, 2023

The West Bank remains “a huge prison” where people cannot move to get basic services, and Gaza is reeling in a deep humanitarian crisis, a Caritas official has said, noting that staff of the charity arm of the Church who are based in the two zones are unable to provide any help to those affected by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem. | Credit: Christian Gennari / OESSH

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Asks for Donations in Face of Suffering, Hatred in Holy Land

Nov 7, 2023

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa explained that it is “charity and prayer” that have animated the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem “in times of extreme hardship.”

Needs in Gaza "immense," aid "meager and inconsistent": UN Refugee Director

Oct 30, 2023

The U.N. said Sunday that “thousands of desperate people” had “stormed U.N.-operated warehouses” and other aid distribution centers in the Gaza region.

Holy Mass at the Church of the Holy Family for the Latins, Gaza Image source: The Parish of the Holy Family for the Latins in Gaza.

Church in Gaza Reaching Out to Displaced Persons, Christians Under Siege amid Violence

Oct 18, 2023

As the fighting continues in the Holy Land between Hamas and the Israeli army, the Church is doing everything in its power to alleviate the burden of war on its affected parishioners.

Smoke increases after Israeli airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Oct. 10, 2023. | Credit: Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock

What You Need to Know about the War Between Israel and Hamas

Oct 18, 2023

The ongoing tension in the Middle East has flared up again in a war between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip.

Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza at Christmas 2021. | Credit: Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock

Pastor of Only Catholic Church in Gaza: "Never have we seen things like this time"

Oct 10, 2023

Father Gabriel Romanelli expressed his gratitude for the closeness, concern, and prayers, along with the “hundreds of messages” he receives every day.

Pope Francis greets the crowd at his Regina Caeli address on May 14, 2023. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis Prays for Cease-fire Between Israelis and Palestinians

May 14, 2023

Pope Francis prayed Sunday that the recently signed cease-fire between Israelis and Palestinians will be maintained and that “the weapons will be silenced.”