Bethlehem
The Latest
War, economic struggles threaten Bethlehem’s century-old crafts tradition
The tradition of being an artisan in Bethlehem is being threatened by the flight of young people from the area... Read more
Bethlehem’s ‘Milk Grotto’: A pilgrimage site of hope for families seeking miracles
The Milk Grotto has long been a favored pilgrimage site for women and families seeking the blessing of a child... Read more
Bethlehem artist defends presence of Palestinian keffiyeh in Nativity scene after backlash
The keffiyeh was visible during the presentation of the Bethlehem Nativity to Pope Francis in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall... Read more
Staying in Bethlehem: Christian couple opts to marry and put down roots despite hardships
Two young Christians from Bethlehem have decided to marry and settle down in their hometown despite the ongoing war and... Read more
The Magi reach Bethlehem, finding smaller crowd of faithful amid ongoing war
The Magi made their appearance for the recitation of the Second Vespers of the Epiphany, marking the conclusion of the... Read more
Midnight Mass in Bethlehem: Patriarch addresses Gazan Christians, calls for end to war
“It is not enough to talk about a cease-fire; we don’t want a cease-fire, we want the hostilities to end,”... Read more
Israel-Hamas war casts pall over Christmas Eve vespers in Bethlehem
At Bethlehem’s Basilica of the Nativity, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over the first vespers of Christmas. Read more
PHOTOS: Bethlehem welcomes Advent 2023 with quieter procession, still with hope
To mark the beginning of Advent, the custos of the Holy Land and the Franciscan friars made their annual procession... Read more
PHOTOS: Christmas celebrations canceled in Bethlehem in the midst of war
The patriarchs and leaders of the Churches in Jerusalem have urged the faithful to focus on the spiritual meaning of... Read more
‘Bethlehem Bells’ exhibit brings the Holy Land to America
The bells that once graced the ancient Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem have traveled from the Holy Land for... Read more
This Catholic family in Bethlehem has carved Nativity scenes for popes and presidents
The Zakharia Brothers woodworking factory makes handcarved Nativity scenes out of olive wood. Read more
There's room for newborn babies at Bethlehem's Catholic hospital
A half mile away from the Nativity Church, the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem also strives to be a special... Read more
Bethlehem emigrants open shop to support Christian artisans in Holy Land
A Catholic goods shop opened its first brick and mortar store last month, presenting a wide variety of merchandise which... Read more
Patriarch welcomes court's 'courageous' decision to block Israeli wall through West Bank
Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem has praised an Israeli Supreme Court decision prohibiting the country's army from routing a security... Read more
Bishops find hope for religious dialogue at Palestinian university
Reflecting on their recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land, U.S. bishops have cited relationships there between Christian and Muslim students... Read more
Vatican is the 'oil' keeping Bethlehem's star lit, mayor observes
The first woman mayor of the town where Jesus was born referred to the strong connection they have with the... Read more
Choir director: singing for the Pope is like welcoming your father
The director of the choir who sang during Pope Francis’ Mass in Bethlehem earlier today expressed that to sing for... Read more
Bethlehem sisters call on world to pray for peace
The sisters who run the only children’s hospital on the West Bank have made it their mission to pray for... Read more
Bishops urge end to confiscation of land in Palestine
The U.S. bishops' international justice and peace representative has called on the state department to pressure the Israeli government to... Read more
