The prophetic voices of religious leaders working to foster peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land have been largely absent as the war in Gaza rages on, a Jerusalem-based cardinal said.
International News
USCIRF to Biden Administration: Do More to Protect International Religious Rights
Over the past year the federal government’s global religious freedom watchdog has noticed an increase in religious intolerance, persecution, and discrimination around the world, and it is now calling on the Biden administration to step up and do something about it.
Caritas Baby Hospital in Bethlehem Remains a Ray of Hope in War-Torn Holy Land
Holding her 18-month-old son Ahmad in her arms, Ayah Issa, 32, broke into a smile when she saw Sister of Charity Aleya Kattakayam at the entrance of the Caritas Baby Hospital Bethlehem. “My darling Sister!” Issa, who wears a hijab, exclaimed, hugging the nun and handing Ahmad to Kattakayam, originally from India, to hold.
Religious Formation Must Also Be Human, Ongoing, Pope Says
Seminarians and religious men and women need well-rounded formation throughout their lives, not only at the onset of their religious training, Pope Francis said.
As Women, Children Starve, Sudan Desperate for Help
Catholic agencies, along with other Christian charities in Sudan, have intensified their food distribution campaign across the country to save hundreds of thousands of suffering Sudanese people from extreme hunger as the civil war entered its second year.
Amid Ongoing Chaotic Violence, U.S. Priest Returns to His Mission in Haiti
A Philadelphia priest working in Haiti has followed through on his plans to return immediately to his longtime ministry in that nation’s besieged capital after a brief visit to the U.S. for medical treatment.
Pope to Visit City of Romeo and Juliet With Theme ‘Justice and Peace Shall Kiss’
In less than a month, Pope Francis will make his second journey outside Rome of the year. He will visit the Italian city of Verona, the setting of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” where he will participate in an event dedicated to promoting peace and meet with local clergy and youth.
Pope Praises Artists, Encourages Prisoners to Never Lose Hope
The rusted wrought iron frame and grate of an old well became a garden of crocheted flowers inside the courtyard of the Giudecca women’s prison in Venice. The handmade garlands also adorned the archways’ brick columns and copper drainpipes.
Love Makes Individuals and the World Better, Pope Francis Says
Meeting with thousands of Italian grandparents and their children and grandchildren, Pope Francis insisted repeatedly, “Love makes us better.”
Italian leader says pope will join G7 discussion on AI
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that Pope Francis would participate in a G7 “outreach” discussion on artificial intelligence when the leaders of the world’s leading industrialized nations countries meet in southern Italy in mid-June.