Bethlehem

Sabeen Rahil and Elias Johny Al Arja in Bethlehem. In the background behind them is the bell tower of the Church of the Nativity, which stands on the site where Jesus was born.

Staying in Bethlehem: Christian couple opts to marry and put down roots despite hardships

Sep 7, 2024

Two young Christians from Bethlehem have decided to marry and settle down in their hometown despite the ongoing war and... Read more

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.

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

Jan 7, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

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

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.

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

Dec 25, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

“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

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa arrives in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, 2023.

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

Dec 24, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

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

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.

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

Dec 4, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

To mark the beginning of Advent, the custos of the Holy Land and the Franciscan friars made their annual procession... Read more

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.

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

Nov 26, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

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

The bells that once graced the spires of the ancient Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem have traveled from the Holy Land to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.

‘Bethlehem Bells’ exhibit brings the Holy Land to America

Jan 3, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The bells that once graced the ancient Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem have traveled from the Holy Land for... Read more

A nativity scene carved out of olive wood by the Zakharia Brothers workshop in Bethlehem.

This Catholic family in Bethlehem has carved Nativity scenes for popes and presidents

Dec 28, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Zakharia Brothers woodworking factory makes handcarved Nativity scenes out of olive wood. Read more

Newborn babies at the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem. Photo: Courtesy of Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem Foundation

There's room for newborn babies at Bethlehem's Catholic hospital

Dec 20, 2018

By Kevin J. Jones

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

May 3, 2018

By Perry West

A Catholic goods shop opened its first brick and mortar store last month, presenting a wide variety of merchandise which... Read more

Mass said on the proposed site of an Israeli security wall in the West Bank's Cremisan Valley, Jan. 17, 2014.

Patriarch welcomes court's 'courageous' decision to block Israeli wall through West Bank

Apr 8, 2015

Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem has praised an Israeli Supreme Court decision prohibiting the country's army from routing a security... Read more

Bishops from the U.S. make a pilgrimage to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Sept. 11, 2014.

Bishops find hope for religious dialogue at Palestinian university

Sep 28, 2014

By Matt Hadro

Reflecting on their recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land, U.S. bishops have cited relationships there between Christian and Muslim students... Read more

Mayor of Bethlehem Vera Baboun speaks with CNA in her office on May 24, 2014

Vatican is the 'oil' keeping Bethlehem's star lit, mayor observes

May 29, 2014

By Elise Harris

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

May 25, 2014

By Elise Harris

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

May 24, 2014

By Elise Harris

The sisters who run the only children’s hospital on the West Bank have made it their mission to pray for... Read more

Catholics from Beit Jala in the Cremisan Valley gathered for a Mass for justice, Jan. 17, 2014.

Bishops urge end to confiscation of land in Palestine

Jan 30, 2014

The U.S. bishops' international justice and peace representative has called on the state department to pressure the Israeli government to... Read more