Holy Land

The Latest

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa blesses the congregation at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on April 4, 2021.

Catholic patriarch calls day of prayer and fasting for peace in the Holy Land

Oct 12, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa has urged Catholics to organize times of prayer with Eucharistic adoration and recitation of the rosary. Read more

A salvo of rockets is fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza City toward Israel on Oct. 8, 2023. The death toll surged to almost 1,000 since Palestinian militant group Hamas launched its massive surprise attack on Israel with a barrage of rockets and a massive ground assault, officials on both sides said on Oct. 8.

U.S. bishops call for prayers for peace in Holy Land amid escalating war

Oct 9, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The strike by Hamas resulted in hundreds of Israeli deaths, as well as reports of Hamas insurgents allegedly abducting Israeli... Read more

Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks on the red carpet at the premiere of the film "Route 60: The Biblical Highway" on Sept. 12, 2023.

New movie explores Christian and Jewish perspectives of the Holy Land’s history

Sep 15, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The new documentary “Route 60: The Biblical Highway” might be a “road trip” film, but the setting and the characters... Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd at his Sunday Angelus address on Jan. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis: The devil uses ‘three widespread and dangerous temptations’ to divide us

Feb 26, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope also offered advice for how to overcome temptations using the Word of God. Read more

Pope Francis prayed for peace in the Holy Land at the end of his Angelus address on Jan. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis expresses sorrow over ‘spiral of death’ in the Holy Land

Jan 29, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In his Sunday Angelus address, the pope expressed “great sorrow” for the death of Palestinians killed in an Israeli military... Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd at his Sunday Angelus address on Jan. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis decries culture that ‘throws away’ unborn children, elderly, poor

Jan 29, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis decried a culture that “throws away” unborn children, the elderly, and the poor... Read more

With a cane in his right hand, 86-year-old Pope Francis delivers his 10th Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on Dec. 25, 2022.

On Christmas Day, Pope Francis prays for Prince of Peace to end ‘third world war’

Dec 25, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 25, the pope offered the traditional “Urbi et Orbi”... Read more

The el Araj archaeological site located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in Israel, believed to be ruins of a church built over the the home of Sts. Peter and Andrew

St. Peter’s house believed to have been found on shore of Sea of Galilee 

Aug 24, 2022

By Edie Heipel

A team of archaeologists uncovered evidence this month that may be the “smoking gun” confirming the location of the house... Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa praying with young Catholics on the Mount of Beatitudes on July 19, 2022

'Hope and Closeness' in the Holy Land: Patriarch Pizzaballa prays with Catholics on Mount of the Beatitudes

Jul 20, 2022

By Courtney Mares

More than 8,000 young Catholics from the United States prayed together Tuesday on the Mount of the Beatitudes, where Jesus... Read more

Carlota Valenzuela.

This Catholic is trekking 4,000 miles across Europe to Jerusalem

May 27, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Carlota Valenzuela began the epic foot pilgrimage in January. Read more

Violence erupts between Israeli security forces and Palestinian mourners carrying the coffin of slain Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh out of a hospital, before being transported to a church and then her resting place, in Jerusalem, on May 13, 2022.

Christian leaders condemn Israeli police violence at Palestinian journalist's funeral

May 16, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Christian leaders of the Holy Land on Monday condemned recent violence at the funeral of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh,... Read more

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Eastern Churches, speaks to EWTN.

How the Good Friday Holy Land collection unites Catholics with the places of Christ’s Passion

Apr 14, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Sandri said: ‘It is truly a providential opportunity for the whole Catholic Church to take advantage of this collection.’ Read more

Crucifix inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Catholics urged to give with ‘new vigor’ to Good Friday Holy Land collection

Mar 24, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Sandri said ‘families have suffered beyond measure’ amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa blesses the congregation at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on April 4, 2021.

Holy Land’s Catholic bishops invite Orthodox leaders to contribute to synodal path

Jan 28, 2022

By CNA Staff

They invited their counterparts to share their ‘wisdom and experience.’ 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

Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Vandals steal cross from altar of Catholic church in the Holy Land

Aug 23, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The cross had been embedded in an outdoor altar made of volcanic basalt rock that was used for Catholic Masses... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square, April 17, 2013.

Pope Francis appeals to Holy Land Catholics as bishops consecrate Middle East to Holy Family

Jun 27, 2021

By CNA Staff

The act of consecration took place at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa blesses the congregation at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on April 4, 2021.

Catholic bishops to consecrate Middle East to the Holy Family

Jun 16, 2021

By CNA Staff

The act of consecration will take place June 27 in Nazareth’s Basilica of the Annunciation. Read more

Pope Francis addresses new ambassadors accredited to the Holy See in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, May 21, 2021.

Pope Francis calls for global prayer for peace in the Holy Land

May 21, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The pope was addressing ambassadors newly accredited to the Holy See. Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa blesses the congregation at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on April 4, 2021.

Israel-Gaza conflict: Patriarch Pizzaballa asks Catholics to pray for peace and justice

May 18, 2021

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem issued the appeal as the death toll mounts in the Holy Land. Read more