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Israel-Hamas war

Pope Leo XIV answers questions from the media outside Castel Gandolfo in Italy on Oct. 7, 2025. / Credit: Hannah Brockhaus/CNA

Pope Leo XIV Recalls Palestinians Killed Since October 7 Hamas Attack

Oct 8, 2025

Addressing a group of journalists just outside his Castel Gandolfo residence, Villa Barberini, on Oct. 7, the pope said: “Two years ago it was a terroristic attack.”

Pope Leo XIV preaches at the historic Rotonda church in Albano, Aug. 17, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV: Israeli Attack in Qatar a "very serious" Development

Sep 10, 2025

Referring to the growing tension in the Middle East conflict, Pope Leo XIV stated: “We must pray a lot and keep working, searching, insisting on peace.”

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Vatican Communication Office Urges Two-State Solution as France Backs Palestinian Statehood

Jul 28, 2025

The editorial manager for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, Andrea Tornielli, called for a “two-state solution” and recognition of Palestine as a state.

Father Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family who was wounded in a recent strike on the church, stands before the altar during a Sunday morning Mass held by the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem at the church in Gaza City on July 20, 2025. / Credit: OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive: Gaza Priest Injured in Israeli Bombing Discusses Impact on Parish Community

Jul 24, 2025

In an exclusive interview with “EWTN Noticias,” Father Gabriel Romanelli spoke about the July 17 bombing of Holy Family Parish in Gaza.

A view of the damage to the Holy Family church in Gaza City following an Israeli strike on the church, in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City on July 17, 2025. | Credit: OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images

Bishops in South Africa Decry Attack on “tiny Christian population” in Gaza after Israeli Strike on Catholic Parish

Jul 21, 2025

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) have denounced the July 17 accidental Israeli strike on the Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza that left three people dead and scores injured, including a Catholic Priest.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Pope Leo XIV on Monday, July 21, 2025, to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank. / Credit: A Katz/Shutterstock

Palestine’s President Calls Pope Leo XIV Concerning Holy Land conflict

Jul 21, 2025

Pope Leo XIV on Monday spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who called the pope to discuss the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.

Pope Leo XIV delivers the Angelus address on July 13, 2025 from Liberty Square in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, where he is spending a two-week summer break. / Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Prays by Name for Gaza Parish Strike Victims, Renews Plea for Ceasefire

Jul 20, 2025

“I express my profound sadness regarding last Thursday’s attack by the Israeli army on the Catholic Parish of the Holy Family in Gaza City, which as you know killed three Christians and gravely wounded others,” Pope Leo XIV said in his Angelus address from the papal estate at Castel Gandolfo, offering prayers for the victims by name and renewing his call for an immediate ceasefire. 

Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, and Pope Leo XIV. / Credit: Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0/Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Receives Call from Israel Prime Minister,Netanyahu, after Gaza Church Attack

Jul 18, 2025

Pope Leo XIV received a phone call Friday from Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, following yesterday’s Israeli army attack on Holy Family Church in Gaza.

Holy Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, led by the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli during the Advent season. December 2024. / Courtesy of  Father Gabriel Romanelli

Attack on Gaza's Only Catholic Church: Without Warnings by Priest "it would have been a massacre"

Jul 17, 2025

Father Yusuf Asad, 49, assistant parochial vicar at Holy Family Church in Gaza, had just celebrated morning Mass when a loud bang sounded. At around 10:20 a.m. local time, a projectile hit the building. 

Father Gabriel Romanelli with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, celebrating Christmas Mass at Holy Family Parish in Gaza, in December 2024. / Credit: Courtesy of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Gaza's Only Catholic Priest among Injured in Israeli Attack

Jul 17, 2025

The Holy Family Church in Gaza was hit Thursday amid a new wave of Israeli bombings, leaving several people dead and injured, including the church’s pastor, Gabriel Romanelli.

A view of the damage to the Holy Family church in Gaza City following an Israeli strike on the church, in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City on July 17, 2025. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said an Israeli strike on Gaza's only Catholic church killed two and injured several people on July 17, including the parish priest, as well as causing damage to the building. / Credit: OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images

After Deadly Attack on Catholic Parish in Gaza, Pope Leo XIV Urges Immediate Ceasefire

Jul 17, 2025

Following a strike against the only Catholic Church in Gaza, which left at least two dead on July 17, Pope Leo XIV issued a call for an immediate ceasefire.

The popemobile used by Pope Francis during his visit to Bethlehem in 2014. / Credit: Courtesy of Caritas

Popemobile Converted into Ambulance Blocked from Entering Gaza

Jun 3, 2025

Ongoing border restrictions have prevented Pope Francis’ former popemobile, which was refurbished with essential medical equipment, from reaching its destination. 

Pope Leo XIV prays with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for his general audience on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Pope Leo XIV Decries Severe Suffering in Gaza and Ukraine, “serious new attacks” against Civilians, Infrastructure

May 28, 2025

At the end of Wednesday’s general audience, Pope Leo XIV turned his attention to the people suffering the devastating consequences of war.

Pope Francis reiterated his call for peace for Gaza and the Holy Land in his April 20, 2025, urbi et orbi message. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Pope Francis Made Final Call to Pastor of Gaza Parish on Holy Saturday, Two Days before Passing On

Apr 23, 2025

Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of Holy Family Parish in Gaza, summed up Pope Francis’ last call on Saturday night, April 19,  moments before the Easter Vigil.

The custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, anoints the statue of Jesus on the Stone of Anointing during the ceremony known as the “funeral procession” on Good Friday night 2024. According to the tradition and the Status Quo, on the evening of Good Friday — both Catholic and Orthodox — the rite of preparing Jesus’ body for burial is reenacted on this stone during the so-called “funeral procession.” / Credit: Marinella Bandini

Amid Ongoing War and Blockades, Holy Land Christians Insist on Celebrating Easter

Apr 19, 2025

This year’s Easter celebrations in the Holy Land are expected to unfold under a complex and emotional landscape as war continues in Gaza. 

During his Angelus address on Jan. 19, 2025, at the Vatican, Pope Francis thanked those who mediated the latest cease-fire in Gaza and expressed his hope that all hostages “may finally return home and embrace their loved ones” and for the opening of humanitarian corridors into Gaza. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Thanks Mediators for Brokering Latest Cease-fire Deal in Gaza  

Jan 19, 2025

During his Angelus address, the Holy Father also expressed his hope that all hostages “may finally return home and embrace their loved ones” and for the opening of humanitarian corridors into Gaza.    

The Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, speaks with Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of Holy Family Church, during his December 2024 visit to Gaza. / Credit: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Cardinal Pizzaballa on Truce Between Israel and Hamas: "It was absolutely necessary"

Jan 17, 2025

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa said that in the Holy Land “people are happy because this war has worn us down, exhausted us, and wounded everyone’s lives.”

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. / Credit: Marinella Bandini

War, Economic Struggles Threaten Bethlehem’s Century-old Crafts Tradition

Dec 21, 2024

The tradition of being an artisan in Bethlehem is being threatened by the flight of young people from the area and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, lights the first candle of the Advent wreath at the site of the manger inside the Nativity Grotto on Nov. 30, 2024, during the first vespers of the first Sunday of Advent. / Credit: Marinella Bandini

Heads of Christian Churches in Holy Land Call for End of War in Gaza in Christmas Message

Dec 16, 2024

Invoking the spirit of Christmas, leaders of Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Syriac, Armenian, and other churches gave thanks to God for the recent ceasefire in Lebanon.

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

Pope Francis’ Claim That Israel Action in Gaza Could Be "genocide" Draws Criticism

Nov 18, 2024

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