Middle East
The Latest
Pope Francis appoints new auxiliary bishop for Jordan and the titular see of Siminia
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for Father Iyad Twal’s appointments. Read more
Who are the Christians in Lebanon?
For a Middle Eastern nation, Lebanon has a large and influential Christian population. Read more
Pope Francis meets Middle East Catholic bishops amid fears of all-out war in region
The Holy Father encouraged the bishops to “bear witness to faith in [the Lord], also through respectful and sincere dialogue... Read more
Vatican urges Iran to avoid ‘in any way’ escalating conflict in Middle East
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, spoke on the phone on Monday morning with Iran’s new president, Masoud... Read more
Pope Francis urges prayers for victims of crises in Venezuela, Myanmar, and Middle East
Pope Francis on Sunday urged prayers for those suffering in the world due to political conflict, violence, and natural disasters. Read more
Uganda’s Catholic dioceses notified of limited stock of altar wine for Mass
Catholic dioceses in Uganda have been notified of a limited stock of wine for Masses due to delays in shipping. Read more
Pakistan ends mandatory Islamic studies for non-Muslim students
Pakistan is ending its mandatory study of Islam for non-Muslim children in first through 12th grade and implementing a new... Read more
Two women killed amid Israeli attack at Holy Family Parish in Gaza, Latin Patriarchate says
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said two women were targeted by an Israeli sniper on Dec. 16. Read more
U.S. bishops renew call for peace in the Holy Land
The U.S. bishops are renewing their call for peace in the Holy Land as the Israel-Hamas war moves towards it... Read more
Vatican, Iranian foreign ministers discuss Israel-Hamas war amid risk of wider conflict
Vatican foreign minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher spoke by phone with his counterpart in Iran on Monday morning regarding the Israel-Hamas... Read more
Catholic Relief president on aid to Gaza: Let’s ‘get it going,’ ‘take care of these people’
The leader said he was hoping for a quick reopening of border access in Gaza and deployment of aid to... Read more
Hamas says Israel behind deadly hospital blast; Israel blames terrorist group
News reports on Tuesday said Al-Ahli Arabi Baptist hospital had been hit with a strike that killed as many as... Read more
U.S. bishops urge faithful to join in day of prayer and fasting for peace in Holy Land
The Latin Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, last week urged Catholics to devote Oct. 17 to prayer. Read more
Catholic Relief Services calls for ‘immediate humanitarian access’ to Gaza Strip
The charity group on Saturday asked for aid access “before a dire humanitarian situation becomes a catastrophe.” Read more
Dozens killed in surprise Hamas attacks on Israel; Netanyahu says country ‘at war’
Surprise attacks by Hamas on Israel early on Saturday killed at least dozens of people. Read more
After Maronite archbishop detained in Lebanon, U.S. bishops voice solidarity
A Maronite Catholic archbishop was bringing aid back to Lebanon when he was wrongly detained by Lebanese authorities at the... Read more
Armenian patriarch to represent Catholics at Middle East Council of Churches
Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian has led the Armenian Catholic Church since September 2021. Read more
Maronite patriarch threatened by Hezbollah supporters after calling for Lebanese neutrality in region
The leader of the Maronite Catholic Church received threats from Hezbollah supporters this week after calling for an end to... Read more
Pope Francis: ‘Stop using Lebanon and the Middle East for outside interests and profits’
The pope hosted a day of prayer for Lebanon at the Vatican. Read more
Pope Francis appeals to Holy Land Catholics as bishops consecrate Middle East to Holy Family
The act of consecration took place at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Read more
