Pope Leo raised the question of genocide in Gaza and spoke about how he intends to engage with China over the coming years in his first major interview.
Israel Palestine
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Pope Leo expresses his ‘profound closeness’ to the people of Gaza as Israeli ground invasion begins
Palestinians in Gaza “continue to live in fear and survive in unacceptable conditions, forced once again to leave their lands,” Leo said to applause at the end of his weekly general audience on Sept. 17.
Posted inNews
Pope Leo calls Gaza’s only Catholic parish as Israel launches new offensive on city
Just a few hours after Israel launched a major new ground offensive in Gaza City, Pope Leo XIV called the pastor of the city’s only Latin-rite parish to express his concern, his prayers and his closeness, the Vatican press office said.
Posted inDispatches
Catholic delegation visits Holy Land after U.S. bishops call for a special collection for Gaza
The CNEWA visit was prompted by a letter on Aug. 12 from Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, the president of the U.S.C.C.B., calling for parishes across the country to hold a “special collection to provide humanitarian relief and pastoral support for our affected brothers and sisters in Gaza and surrounding areas in the Middle East.”
Posted inNews
‘We need to pray a lot,’ Pope Leo says after Israeli attack in Qatar
Pope Leo told reporters gathered outside the Villa Barberini in Castel Gandolfo that he had just tried to phone Holy Family Parish in Gaza City. “I just tried to call the pastor, but I have no news,” the pope said.
Posted inNews
After 800 years of silence, the oldest pipe organ in the Christian world plays again
Researchers believe that the Crusaders brought the organ to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, in the 11th century during their period of rule over Jerusalem. After a century of use, the Crusaders buried it to protect it from invading Muslim armies.
Posted inNews Analysis
Why you should pay attention to the Vatican News editorial on Palestine
While the article falls short of being an “official statement” by the Vatican, that vetting does lend significant weight to the substance of the editorial.
Posted inThe Weekly Dispatch
Why is Israel targeting journalists in Gaza?
In the midst of the horror show that is Gaza, the targeting and assassination of journalists in Gaza remains worth calling out.
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Pope Leo and Israel’s president discuss ‘tragic situation in Gaza’ in private audience
Pope Leo and top diplomatic advisors spoke with Israeli President Herzog about the “tragic situation in Gaza,” the urgent need for ceasefire and a two-state solution as the “only way out of the current war.”
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Israeli president Herzog to visit Pope Leo at Vatican
President Herzog’s visit comes at a very delicate political moment, as Israeli forces have laid siege to Gaza City in an attempt to take full control of it and have already reduced parts of it to rubble.