War

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

Holy Week dispute resolved as Latin Patriarch regains access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

A Holy Week dispute over access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been resolved, with Cardinal Pizzaballa now able to enter the site after Israeli authorities reversed earlier restrictions
The Catholic Herald

Israeli police block Latin Patriarch from Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday

Israeli police have blocked Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, setting what the Cardinal and Custos of the Holy Land describe as a “grave precedent”
Thomas Edwards

Israeli directive threatens Christian teachers in Jerusalem schools

New Israeli education rules could bar hundreds of Christian Palestinian teachers from Church-run schools in Jerusalem, raising concerns over staffing and the future of these institutions
The Catholic Herald

Palestinian bishop warns of rising attacks on Christians in the West Bank

Auxiliary Bishop William Shomali of Jerusalem has warned that “the aggressions against Christians in the West Bank are multiplying”
Niwa Limbu

Cardinal Pizzaballa announces major changes to Holy Week amid war in Jerusalem

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has outlined major changes to Holy Week amid war in the region
The Catholic Herald

Church of the Holy Sepulchre closed amid regional escalation ahead of Holy Week

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been closed for weeks following military escalation between Israel and Iran, raising concerns over access to one of Christianity’s holiest sites during Holy Week
Thomas Edwards

Jerusalem patriarch issues warning on war in the Middle East

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem has warned against invoking God to justify conflict, saying war is driven by political interests and condemning the use of “pseudo-religious language” in the Middle East crisis
The Catholic Herald