Gaza

The Latest

When asked what Christians can do outside the Holy Land, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa responded: “Pray and support. Support the Christian community as much as they can.”

Cardinal Pizzaballa: Pope Francis calls Holy Family Church in Gaza every day

Dec 6, 2024

By Kristina Millare

In a press conference on Dec. 6, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem said Pope Francis is known by the children... Read more

A refugee camp in Gaza houses those displaced by the war.

Virtually no aid has reached Gaza for over 40 days, CRS says

Nov 27, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

A nearly two-month blockage of supplies into parts of northern Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is hampering the aid... Read more

Pope Francis prays during the Synod on Synodality closing Mass on Oct. 27, 2024, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Pope Francis’ claim that Israel action in Gaza could be ‘genocide’ draws criticism

Nov 18, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Pope Francis’ call for an investigation into claims that a genocide may be happening in Gaza has garnered some criticism.  Read more

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

By Marinella Bandini

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

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. Afterward the pope asked for prayers for his apostolic journey beginning tomorrow to Oceania and Southeast Asia.

Pope Francis urges release of hostages, aid for polio outbreak in Gaza

Sep 1, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The pope appealed for peace in Gaza and for aid to continue and also expressed his closeness to the people... Read more

Some young people from Gaza during study aid activities in a gazebo inside the compound of the Latin Parish of the Holy Family. Beginning June 10, 2024, about 150 children and teenagers ages 4 to 17 who are sheltering in the Latin parish and in the Orthodox parish have taken up their books and notebooks again to reconnect with their studies. Three gazebos in the garden host study groups. They were open-sided, but they have been closed to help the youth avoid distractions, as there are always people around.

Under patronage of St. Joseph, parish priest restarts schooling for students in Gaza

Jul 20, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

The program had to be suspended for two weeks in July due to Israeli military action in Gaza City but... Read more

Palestinian women react as they look at the badly damaged Latin Patriarchate Holy Family School after it was reportedly hit during Israeli military bombardment in Gaza City on July 7, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas.

Bishop Zaidan condemns ‘any targeting of civilians’ at Holy Family School in Gaza

Jul 10, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

“I join the Latin Patriarchate in condemning any targeting of civilians in the [Holy] Family School in Gaza,” Bishop A.... Read more

Palestinians stand on the rubble and debris of the Latin Patriarchate Holy Family School after it was hit during an alleged Israeli military bombardment in Gaza City on July 7, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas.

Latin Patriarchate condemns reported raid by Israeli forces on Gaza Catholic school

Jul 8, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The patriarchate said in a Sunday press release that it was “monitoring, with grave concern, the news of the raids,... Read more

Israel Antiquities Authority excavation in Rahat (aerial view), May 2024.

Archaeological discovery sheds light on Christian pilgrimages to Holy Land 1,500 years ago

May 23, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority have discovered a Byzantine-period church in the northern Negev desert with wall art displaying... Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, listens to a question during the May 20, 2024, press briefing with a small group of journalists at the Latin Patriarchate headquarters in Jerusalem about his recent visit to visit the Catholic community in Gaza.

Cardinal Pizzaballa meets with journalists to discuss visit to Catholic parish in Gaza 

May 20, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

After returning from the Catholic parish in northern Gaza, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch, spoke to the press about... Read more

Bishop Bart van Roijen walked the length of the Gaza Strip on April 29 in support of those suffering due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Catholic bishop walks length of Gaza Strip in support of cease-fire

May 6, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

A Catholic bishop in eastern Canada walked the length of the Gaza Strip on April 29 in support of those... Read more

Lara Al-Sayegh, a Catholic from Gaza, collapsed and died of heatstroke as she and her mother tried to leave Gaza and find safe haven in Egypt on April 24, 2024. The 19-year-old lived in northern Gaza and the family had already lost their father and husband after he died at Gaza’s Latin Holy Family Church due to a lack of adequate medical care.

19-year-old Catholic woman dies attempting to flee Gaza with her mother

Apr 30, 2024

By Sanad Sahelia

The tragic death of Lara Al-Sayegh highlights the suffering of Gaza’s dwindling Christian minority. Read more

People gather at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family on Palm Sunday in al-Zaitoun neighborhood of Gaza City on March 24, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement.

Catholics in Gaza are burying dead in Muslim cemeteries

Apr 16, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

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

Celebration of Mass at Holy Family Parish in Gaza.

Christians in Gaza face ‘worst period’ since start of war, report says

Mar 14, 2024

By Diego López Marina

The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need reported that the Christian community in Gaza “is going through the... Read more

CNA

Vatican’s Good Friday Holy Land collection to aid humanitarian efforts in Gaza 

Mar 12, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

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

CRS CEO Sean Callahan visits the Holy Land.

In Holy Land visit, Catholic Relief Services head sees ‘hope and resiliency’ amid chaos

Feb 7, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Sean Callahan said he was able to witness the countless displaced individuals and families that have struggled in Gaza since... Read more

Moral theology professor Joseph Capizzi speaks with Tracy Sabol on “EWTN News Nightly” Dec. 22, 2023.

CUA theology dean: Just war doctrine requires Israel to avoid civilian casualties

Dec 28, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Joseph Capizzi, a professor of moral theology and ethics at the Catholic University of America, said the Israeli military “cannot... Read more

John Kirby, coordinator of the National Security Council for Strategic Communications at the White House.

White House raises concerns with Israel about killings at Catholic church in Gaza

Dec 19, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Spokesman John Kirby said the White House is confident that the Israelis “are not making the slaughter, torture, and rape... Read more

Roman Catholic Church of Holy Family in Gaza City.

Nahida and Samar: Mother and daughter killed in attack on Gaza parish

Dec 18, 2023

By Eduardo Berdejo

Vatican News reported Dec. 16 that Samar Anton was killed while she was trying to help her mother, Nahida Anton,... Read more

Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza at Christmas 2021.

IDF denies responsibility for killing of Palestinian Christians at Gaza church

Dec 18, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

The Israel Defense Forces has denied culpability over the deaths of two Christian Palestinian women who were reportedly killed at... Read more