Joseph Borgen has had the same menorah since he built it in kindergarten. He looks forward to the first day of Hanukkah every year, when he can place it in his front window for all those who pass by his apartment to see.
Israel
Palestinian Ambassador Lauds Pope’s Description of Gaza War as ‘Defeat’
Palestine’s ambassador to the Holy See has lauded Pope Francis’ description of the current war in Gaza as “defeat” and has called for both a cease-fire and an end to Israeli settlements, urging international leaders to do more.
Gaza Pastor Stresses Spiritual Life for Advent, Says Pope’s Closeness Is Key
As the Church begins its Advent and Christmas seasons, the pastor of Gaza’s lone Catholic parish stressed the importance of stepping up one’s spiritual life amid the tragedies of war, and said the pope’s attention to them has been a major consolation.
Israel-Hamas Truce Has Been Extended by Two Days; More Hostages Scheduled to be Released
Qatar’s foreign affairs ministry said Nov. 27 that an agreement has been reached to extend the Israel-Hamas truce for another two days. The announcement was made by a ministry’s spokesperson on X on the final day of a four-day cease-fire in which hostages abducted by Hamas in October have been released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Pope Holds Separate Meetings With Israelis, Palestinians at Vatican
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With hopes growing for a temporary, humanitarian cease-fire, Pope Francis met at the Vatican Nov. 22 with relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas and, separately, with relatives of Palestinians suffering under the Israeli siege of Gaza.
Advocates, Lawmakers Urge Protections for Palestinian Immigrants
In the midst of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, a Catholic immigration group is joining its voice with Democratic lawmakers urging President Joe Biden to allow Palestinians in the United States to stay here during the conflict.
Given ‘Pain’ in Gaza, Leaders Urge Holy Land Christians to Forgo Holiday Festivities
As the war in Gaza drags on and other global hotspots escalate, Church leaders in both Europe and the Holy Land have again called for peace and disarmament, and for acts of solidarity with those who are suffering.
U.S. Bishops Open Fall Assembly With Prayer and a Mass for Peace
Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led his brother bishops in a prayer for wisdom as they began their fall plenary assembly in Baltimore Nov. 13 with a Mass for peace.
Egypt’s Churches Praying for Holy Land Peace
These words of a Christian hymn filled churches in Egypt last week as a security situation has been boiling in the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war erupted on Oct. 7, when Hamas, the Islamic movement that rules the Gaza Strip, stormed nearby Israeli towns, killing more than 1,400 and abducting hundreds.
Pope, Palestinian Leader Discuss Gaza, Including Call for Cease-Fire
Pope Francis and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas spoke Nov. 2 over the phone about the latest developments in Gaza, stressing the need to seek avenues for peace and calling for humanitarian corridors to allow aid into the region.
