Bethlehem rejoiced with the festive celebration of lighting of a 65-feet Christmas tree at the edge of Manger Square Dec. 6 – for the first time since December 2022 and the start of Israel-Hamas war 10 months later.
Israel
Gaza Ceasefire Tested as Israel, Hamas Say the Other Violated Agreement
President Donald Trump’s ceasefire agreement in Gaza was tested Oct. 28 as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israeli military to conduct strikes in Gaza as his government alleged Hamas violated a White House-backed ceasefire agreement by firing on Israeli forces and failing to return the remains of deceased hostages.
Pope Leo XIV Calls on Israelis, Palestinians To Continue Towards ‘Just and Lasting Peace’ Following Peace Deal
With the start of the first phase of a peace deal between Israel and Gaza, Pope Leo XIV prayed for a just and lasting peace that respects all people.
Trump Says Israel, Hamas ‘Have Both Signed Off’ on First Phase of White House Peace Proposal
Israel and Hamas “have both signed off” on the first phase of a White House peace proposal for Gaza, President Donald Trump said late Oct. 8 in a social media post.
At UN, Trump Says He Wants Gaza Ceasefire, Criticizes Member Nations’ Immigration Policy
President Donald Trump on Sept. 23 addressed the U.N. General Assembly amid the backdrop of conflict in Gaza and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as world leaders still question the extent to which the U.S. will be involved in global affairs as the Trump administration implements its “America First” foreign policy.
Calls From Pope to Gaza Church Bring ‘Great Joy,’ Says Parish Priest
Pope Leo XIV has reached out to the Catholic community in Gaza, making a phone call to the Holy Family Parish — the only Catholic parish in the region. About 500 refugees currently live within the parish complex.
Pope Leo XIV Pleads With Israel and Hamas To End Violence in Gaza
Pope Leo XIV appealed to Israel and Hamas to stop the violence that has caused “so much terror, destruction and death.”
Gaza’s Christian Community Persevering Amid Hardship and Hope
The parish priest of Gaza Strip’s small Christian community spoke to Vatican Radio amid tragedy after tragedy unfolding in the enclave, with at least 32 people killed by Israeli strikes only on July 13, including six children at a water collection point.
‘Stop the Tragedy of War,’ Pope Says After US Bombs Iran
Hours after the United States bombed the sites of three nuclear-enrichment facilities in Iran, Pope Leo XIV called the situation in the Middle East “alarming” and said diplomacy was the only responsible way forward.
US Bombs Iran Nuclear Sites as Pope Leo XIV, Bishops Plead for Peace
The U.S. has attacked three nuclear facilities in Iran, in a move that comes amid repeated pleas from Pope Leo XIV and other church leaders for peace and dialogue in ending multiple conflicts throughout the world, including that between Israel and Iran.