Marinella Bandini

Marinella Bandini

Born and raised in Italy, Marinella Bandini has been a professional journalist since 2008. She works for several news agencies and online newspapers in the Catholic space. Currently based in Jerusalem, she collaborates with the Custody of the Holy Land.

Articles by Marinella Bandini

A view of the separation wall between Israel and the Palestinian Territories from behind a window in the Comboni Sisters' house in East Jerusalem. Credit: Marinella Bandini

These religious sisters are a ‘bridge’ between Israel and the Palestinian territories

Feb 17, 2024 / 06:00 am

“By placing ourselves in the middle, we listen to the injustice faced by the Palestinians and also to the fears of Israeli families,” said Sister Anna Maria Sgaramella.

Father Nikodemus Schnabel, abbot of the Benedictine Basilica of the Dormition in Jerusalem, speaks during an ecumenical prayer service that took place at the Cenacle on Jan. 25, 2024. Credit: Marinella Bandini

Attack on priest in Jerusalem brings intolerance of Christians back into focus

Feb 8, 2024 / 07:00 am

Harassment of Christians in the Holy Land is not new. “Education is key,” says an expert on Jewish-Christian relations.

Father Peter Vasko, OFM, and Sister Naomi Zimmermann, FSE. Credit: Marinella Bandini; photo courtesy of Sister Naomi Zimmermann, FSE

Living the religious life in the Holy Land: Two Americans share their stories

Feb 2, 2024 / 12:22 pm

On World Day for Consecrated Life, Father Peter Vasko and Sister Naomi Zimmermann — both Franciscans — are grateful for God’s call to the Holy Land.

Students of the Studienjahr during a lesson at Beit Josef, the headquarters of the program, within the compound of the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition in Jerusalem. The Studienjahr program (launched in 1973) is an annual program of ecumenical studies. It brings together every year about 20 German-speaking theology students from all Christians denominations. January 2024. Credit: Marinella Bandini

Abbey in the Holy Land brings Christian students from different denominations together

Jan 26, 2024 / 17:30 pm

For 50 years, the Benedictine Dormition Abbey, which stands on Mount Zion, has hosted German-speaking students for an ecumenical theology program.

Father Rafiq Khoury at the beginning of the 2024 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity shows the first three volumes of the "ecumenical catechism" that was adopted in 2000 by public schools of the Palestinian Authority as a textbook for Christian education. Credit: Marinella Bandini

‘Ecumenical catechism’ for public schools in Holy Land a sign of Christian unity

Jan 24, 2024 / 14:00 pm

As the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began, Father Rafiq Khoury shared the story of the Christian textbook being used by schools of the Palestinian Authority.

The apostolic nuncio to Jordan, Bishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, speaks during an interview with CNA at the headquarters of the apostolic nunciature in Amman on Jan. 11, 2024. Credit: Marinella Bandini

Nuncio highlights Jordan’s unique role in Holy Land Church today

Jan 21, 2024 / 07:00 am

Bishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, who became the first resident nuncio to Jordan one year ago, says the Church there is “active” and “rich in vocations.”

Worshipers in front of the Latin church dedicated to the Baptism of Jesus, in the locality known as "Bethany beyond the Jordan," at the exit of the Mass of the feast of Baptism, on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Credit: Marinella Bandini

Thousands gather at Jordan River with patriarch to mark baptism of Jesus

Jan 13, 2024 / 15:00 pm

For 24 years, the Catholic community in the region has made a pilgrimage, gathering around its patriarch, to celebrate the baptism of Jesus on Jan. 12.

The private garden of the Armenian patriarch of Jerusalem seen from above. The property is close to the Cows’ Garden and it is one of those threatened by the lease deal between the Armenian Patriarchate and the real estate company Xana Gardens. Credit: Marinella Bandini

Land dispute in Jerusalem threatens Armenian Christians, nonviolent group says

Jan 10, 2024 / 12:45 pm

In the last two months, members of the Armenian community have suffered attacks due to an ongoing conflict regarding a property contract.

Three Franciscan friars portray the Magi in Bethlehem on the afternoon of Jan. 6, 2024. After the Second Vespers of the Epiphany, they descended in the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where they brought their gifts to the places of Jesus' manifestation. Credit: Marinella Bandini

The Magi reach Bethlehem, finding smaller crowd of faithful amid ongoing war

Jan 7, 2024 / 11:00 am

The Magi made their appearance for the recitation of the Second Vespers of the Epiphany, marking the conclusion of the solemnity.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, spoke about the "courage" and the "madness" of working for peace during his homily during the Mass of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God, on Jan. 1, 2024, in the Pro-Cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate, in Jerusalem. Credit: Marinella Bandini

The Church in the Holy Land rings in the new year with pleas for peace

Jan 1, 2024 / 11:15 am

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa challenged Christians of the Holy Land to “make a difference.”

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, presides over the Christmas Midnight Mass in the Church of St. Catherine in Bethlehem. With him, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, papal envoy, H. E. Adolfo Tito Yllana, Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine, and the bishops of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem concelebrated. Dec. 25, 2023. Credit: Marinella Bandini

Midnight Mass in Bethlehem: Patriarch addresses Gazan Christians, calls for end to war

Dec 25, 2023 / 09:00 am

“It is not enough to talk about a cease-fire; we don’t want a cease-fire, we want the hostilities to end,” Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, 2023. Credit: Marinella Bandini, Catholic News Agency

Israel-Hamas war casts pall over Christmas Eve vespers in Bethlehem

Dec 24, 2023 / 13:04 pm

At Bethlehem’s Basilica of the Nativity, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over the first vespers of Christmas.

A moment at the vigil in preparation for Christmas held on Dec. 22, 2023, at the Church of St. Saviour in Jerusalem. Credit: Marinella Bandini

Catholics in the Holy Land gather at prayer vigil to prepare for Christmas

Dec 23, 2023 / 09:42 am

The weekend before Christmas began with an evening of prayer and music at the Church of St. Saviour, the Latin parish of Jerusalem.

On Dec. 21, 2023, leaders of the three communities responsible for the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher took part in a meeting for the presentation of the work in progress in the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem in 2023. From left to right: Father Francesco Patton, custos of the Holy Land; H. B. Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem; and H. B. Nourhan Manougian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. Credit: Marinella Bandini

Experts announce latest in restoration work on Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher 

Dec 22, 2023 / 10:16 am

New updates on the ongoing work at one of the holiest sites in Jerusalem were presented recently to leaders of the three communities responsible for the basilica.

The Missionaries of Charity convent located on the compound of Holy Family Parish, the only Catholic church in Gaza, was damaged by rocket fire on Dec. 16, 2023. Credit: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Convent in Gaza uninhabitable after taking fire; residents take refuge in parish church

Dec 20, 2023 / 17:20 pm

The convent, which was home to over 54 disabled persons as well as three religious sisters, was greatly damaged by rocket fire on Saturday, Dec. 16.

Father Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, presides over the solemn Mass for the 1st Sunday of Advent, on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2023. Credit: Marinella Bandini

Custos of Holy Land discusses the vocation of Christians in the region today

Dec 17, 2023 / 08:00 am

Speaking on Advent, Christmas, hope, and faith, Father Francesco Patton reflected on the meaning of the season for Christians who face hardship in the Holy Land.

The lighting of the first Hanukkah candle during the interfaith event organized by the Kehilat Zion on the first night of Hanukkah on Dec. 7, 2023, in Jerusalem. Credit: Marinella Bandini

PHOTOS: Hanukkah events in Jerusalem focus on finding light, hope, and faith in dark times

Dec 14, 2023 / 05:30 am

On Dec. 7 and 12, Hanukkah events in Jerusalem brought together Jews, Christians, and representatives of other faiths to celebrate “choosing life and choosing light.”

The small procession of Franciscan friars, with the Custos of the Holy Land, arrives in Manger Square, in front of the Basilica of the Nativity, in Bethlehem on Saturday, Dec. 2, the day of the solemn entrance for the beginning of Advent. The Square, typically crowded with local believers and pilgrims, was empty. Dec. 2, 2023. Credit: Marinella Bandini

PHOTOS: Bethlehem welcomes Advent 2023 with quieter procession, still with hope

Dec 4, 2023 / 17:00 pm

To mark the beginning of Advent, the custos of the Holy Land and the Franciscan friars made their annual procession into the city of Bethlehem.

The road leading from checkpoint 300, one of the main entrances to Bethlehem, to the city is completely deserted. Since Oct. 7, when the war broke out, the gate has been closed. Nov. 18, 2023. Credit: Marinella Bandini

PHOTOS: Christmas celebrations canceled in Bethlehem in the midst of war

Nov 26, 2023 / 06:00 am

The patriarchs and leaders of the Churches in Jerusalem have urged the faithful to focus on the spiritual meaning of the Nativity.

Weekday Mass is celebrated in the Church of Sts. Simeon and Anne in Jerusalem, where the Hebrew-speaking Catholic community (keilla) gathers together. Credit: Marinella Bandini

‘A battle inside us’: Hebrew Catholics in the Holy Land wrestle with challenges of war

Nov 19, 2023 / 06:00 am

The Israel-Hamas war has brought challenges to Hebrew Catholics in Israel, but the diverse and vibrant community holds on to its faith as a guide and consolation.