Vatican news At least 15 rescue workers from a civil defense team have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon. By Nathan Morley At least 15 rescue workers from a civil defense team have been killed in an Israeli airstrike in eastern Lebanon. The strike near Baalbek destroyed a building of the civil…
Vatican news Patriarch Bechara Boutrous Ra’i, head of Lebanon’s Maronite Catholic Church, renews his call for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. By Joseph Tulloch “In war, everyone is a loser, defeated and broken.” This was stated by Patriarch Bechara Boutrous Ra’i, head of the Maronite Catholic Church of Lebanon, during mass on Sunday…
Vatican news In this week’s news from the Eastern Churches, produced in collaboration with L’Œuvre d’Orient, Lebanese Christians pray for peace, Jerusalem celebrates Our Lady of Palestine and Major Archbishop Shevchuk is visiting France. This week’s Oriental News: Eucharistic adoration in Kfarshima Lebanese Christians from the village of Kfarshima, close to the fighting between Israel…
Vatican news Pope Francis urges political and civil authorities in Amazonian countries to safeguard the fundamental rights of the indigenous Yanomami people, who live on the border between Venezuela and Brazil. By Devin Watkins “I call on the political and civil authorities to ensure the protection of the people (yanomami) and their fundamental rights, and…
Vatican news The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem responds to Pope Francis’ recent letter to Catholics in the Middle East to express his deep gratitude for his closeness and affection for the region and reaffirms the Church’s firm commitment to peace and reconciliation despite the circumstances. By Lisa Zengarini Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem,…
Vatican news Ahead of the day of prayer and fasting for peace called by Pope Francis, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, shares his reflections with Vatican News on these 12 months of war, suffering, and fear in the Middle East, which began on that tragic day of October 7, 2023. By Roberto…
Vatican news As Israeli bombs continue to hit schools in the Gaza Strip, the director general of Latin Patriarchate schools in Palestine and secretary general of Christian schools in the region, speaks about the effects of the ongoing war on students and its commitment to teaching peacemaking and conflict resolution through dialogue. By Olivier Bonnel…
Vatican news After Sunday’s Angelus, Pope Francis prayed for flood victims in Vietnam and Myanmar, noted the beatification of Father Moises Lira Serafin, remembered those affected by ALS and issued a renewed appeal for world peace. By Christopher Wells In his reflections on Sunday’s Gospel, Pope Francis reminds us that it is important to know…
Vatican news A statement issued by the patriarchs and heads of the churches of Jerusalem expresses grave concern over the heightened tensions that are putting the region on the brink of all-out war and calls for a negotiated settlement for peace. By Linda Bordoni As the twelfth month of “the current devastating war” approaches and…
Vatican news During the Angelus of the Solemnity of the Assumption, Pope Francis entrusts to Mary, Queen of Peace, the concern and pain of the peoples who suffer because of conflicts and war. He recalls the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and remembers all the peoples of the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar. By…