War

Rome must confront China’s persecution of Catholics

The Vatican’s cautious approach to Beijing is no longer tenable in the face of mounting repression
Benedict Rogers

IDF replaces crucifix after outrage in Christian village

Soldiers involved in the desecration of a crucifix in Debel have been punished after the Israeli military expressed regret and announced a replacement statue
The Catholic Herald

Pope Leo XIV renews call for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East

Speaking in Kilamba, Pope Leo XIV urged political leaders to seek negotiation rather than escalation amid worsening conflict on several fronts
The Catholic Herald

The just war tradition is a warning, not a licence

Appeals to ‘just war’ are too often used to legitimise violence when the Christian tradition was meant to restrain it
G E M Lippiatt

Church seizure in occupied Ukraine condemned as “blasphemy”

The seizure of a Catholic church by Russian Orthodox clergy in occupied Tokmak on Easter has drawn condemnation from Ukraine’s Eastern Catholic leadership
Thomas Colsy

Pope Leo warns world ‘being ravaged by a handful of tyrants’

Pope Leo XIV condemns global war spending in Cameroon, warning that the world is “being ravaged by a handful of tyrants”
The Catholic Herald

The international response to Trump’s attack on Pope Leo

Political leaders and Church figures across Europe and beyond criticise President Trump’s attack on Pope Leo XIV, calling the remarks “unacceptable”
The Catholic Herald

Cardinal McElroy says conflict with Iran is morally illegitimate

Responding to Pope Leo XIV’s appeal for prayer, Cardinal McElroy told worshippers that the war with Iran was unjust and that diplomacy must now take precedence
The Catholic Herald

US-Iran talks break down as Vance cites nuclear deadlock and Catholic voices urge peace

Marathon talks in Islamabad ended without an agreement after JD Vance said Washington had failed to secure assurances over Iran’s nuclear ambitions
The Catholic Herald

“War is only death”: Apostolic Nuncio calls for ceasefire and talks as Lebanon reels from attacks

Speaking from Lebanon, the Holy See’s ambassador said the country ‘desires and deserves’ peace as fresh violence deepened displacement and fear
James Bradbury