Latest News – Holy Land News

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, believes the ceasefire agreement reached by Israel and Hamas was “absolutely necessary” and called for immediate attention to be given to food, health, and educational needs. In an initial assessment offered to Vatican News, the cardinal said that in the Holy Land “people are happy because this war has worn us down, exhausted

As Israel and Hamas close-in on a ceasefire agreement, the Catholic ordinaries in the Holy Land said the deal is a necessary step, but also acknowledged that more has to happen to “credibly address the deep-rooted issues” at the core of the conflict. “We hope that this ceasefire will mark an important end to the violence that has caused immeasurable

The Syriac-Assyrian component, an integral part of the Syrian people, has participated in all activities of the revolution since its inception, both locally and abroad. This participation has been carried out through their political and civic organizations, in pursuit of freedom and dignity. Like their Syrian brethren across various regions of Syria, they have endured their share of oppression and

The negotiations on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the first release of hostages to begin Jan. 19 are seen as an “encouraging sign of peace,” said Bishop A. Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace. “At the beginning of this

 Maaloula, a small Christian-dominated town northeast of Damascus, remains in a fragile state after the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December.  For the past decade, the historic town has largely stayed out of the headlines and welcomed tourists and worshippers to a place where Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ continues to be spoken. Over the past month

Starting at 4 p.m. on Jan. 19, crowds of Israelis arrived at what has become known as Hostages Square in the center of Tel Aviv to support the hostage families and watch the release screened on the giant screen in the square. They hugged, cried and cheered as they watched the women being transferred from Hamas to Red Cross representatives.

US President Joe Biden announced the deal at a press conference at the White House. At the same time, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani also confirmed the plan in Doha. The deal was brokered by the US and Qatar as well as Egypt, Israel and Hamas.  “Soon the hostages will return home to their families,”

Thousands of displaced people in Gaza -clutching clothes, tents and other belongings – have begun heading back to their homes. Some media reported that Hamas fighters drove through the southern town of Khan Youins, cheered by chanting crowds. Earlier, this long-awaited ceasefire had been delayed. The Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Hamas had not met the demands of the

The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza, and expressed its hope that the truce will put a permanent end to the “immeasurable suffering” caused by 15 months of war. In a press release, the Assembly – which is composed of all the Catholic bishops, eparchs and exarchs holding jurisdiction

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, presided over a meeting on January 13 with the Apostolic Nuncios in the Middle Eastern region in Jordan's capital of Amman, where he traveled for the consecration of the Church of the Baptism of Jesus along the banks of the Jordan River on Friday. According to a statement issued by the Holy