Custody of the Holy Land

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Children welcome the custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, upon his entrance into Bethlehem on Nov. 30, 2024, for the beginning of Advent. The custos’ entry was festive, but at the same time, it was impossible to ignore the echoes of war. The children were holding signs with messages of peace and solidarity for those suffering due to the war.

PHOTOS: Holy Land Christians begin another Advent in the midst of war

Dec 2, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

This past weekend, the people in Bethlehem welcomed the friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, led by the... Read more

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III exits the Aedicule of the Holy Sepulcher on May 4, 2024, in Jerusalem, showing the faithful the two candles just lit from the oil lamp that is believed to have been miraculously ignited inside Jesus' tomb.

‘Holy Fire’ ceremony at Jesus’ tomb marks beginning of Orthodox Easter celebrations

May 5, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

Though its authenticity is disputed, the “Holy Fire” refers to a flame of purported divine origin that ignites inside Jesus’... Read more

A view of the modern area of the Catholic cemetery located on the southern hillside of Mount Zion in April 2024. In the background are the buildings of the Arabic neighborhood of Abu Tor.

Franciscans file petition to stop cable cars from passing over Holy Land Catholic cemetery

Apr 27, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

The Jerusalem Development Authority is exploring the opportunity to use the piece of land in the cemetery to place a... Read more

The custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, walks through empty Bethlehem streets during the solemn entrance to the Basilica of the Nativity on Jan. 6, 2024.

The Holy Land may turn into a museum or an architectural remembrance, archbishop warns

Mar 29, 2024

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

The archbishop of Toledo and primate of Spain, Francisco Cerro Chávez, stressed in a recent letter the need to support... Read more

Father Peter Vasko, OFM, and Sister Naomi Zimmermann, FSE.

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

Feb 2, 2024

By Marinella Bandini

On World Day for Consecrated Life, Father Peter Vasko and Sister Naomi Zimmermann — both Franciscans — are grateful for... 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

Local Christians pray the rosary during a prayer service hosted by the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in St. Saviour's Church, Jerusalem.

Praying for peace: Franciscans hold special prayer services in Jerusalem

Oct 16, 2023

By Marinella Bandini

This past weekend, Franciscan friars joined with other religious and laypeople to pray for peace in the Holy Land one... Read more

Pope Francis met a delegation affiliated with the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land on Jan. 17, 2022.

Pope Francis: The story of the Holy Land is the 'Fifth Gospel'

Jan 17, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has urged journalists in the Middle East to keep telling stories from the Holy Land. Read more

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Catholics asked to support the Holy Land on Good Friday

Mar 29, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Franciscan friars taking care of the Holy Land sites have asked Catholics for prayers and financial support as they... Read more

A bullet-riddent bust of St. Ephrem in the remains of St. Mary's Syrian Orthodox parish in Homs. Photo courtesy of Aid to the Church in Need.

Franciscans asks prayers for kidnapped priest in Syria

Jul 7, 2015

The organizations of Franciscan missionaries serving in the Holy Land have requested prayers for the safe return of Father Dhiya... Read more

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Catholic actor David Henrie and his wife, Maria, with children during their mission trip to Guatemala with Cross Catholic Outreach.

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Bassem Giacaman in his shop in Bethlehem in December 2024. The artisans in Bethlehem are almost all Christians. They primarily work with olive wood. Most of the businesses in Bethlehem are family businesses.

War, economic struggles threaten Bethlehem’s century-old crafts tradition

Pope Francis addresses cardinals and senior Vatican officials during his annual Christmas speech to the Roman Curia, Dec. 21, 2024.

Pope Francis warns against gossip, celebrates family life in Vatican Christmas messages

Former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro and 35 other people, including a Catholic priest, were charged by the country's Federal Police on Nov. 21, 2024, on suspicion of the crimes of violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.

Two arms of Brazilian bishops’ conference: Throw the book against alleged coup plotters

Bishop Gerhard Feige of Magdeburg in Germany.

German bishops respond to deadly Magdeburg market attack, call for prayer and peace

The Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.

A visual tour of the Holy Doors Pope Francis will open for the 2025 Jubilee

Exiled Bishop Rolando Álvarez speaks at a Mass in Seville, Spain, on Dec. 19, 2024.

Bishop Álvarez celebrates public Mass for Nicaragua

Vandalism at a Heartbeat of Miami pregnancy center in Hialeah, Florida, July 3, 2022.

Florida woman convicted in conspiracy targeting pro-life pregnancy resource centers

French artist Claire Tabouret poses following a press conference after winning with The Atelier Simon-Marq, the selection to create new stained-glass windows in six chapels of the south aisle of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral in Paris on Dec. 18, 2024.

Stained-glass windows at Notre Dame to be replaced, new modern design revealed

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Dec 22
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