Pope Francis expressed the hope that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that came into effect on Sunday, Jan. 19, “would be respected immediately by all the parties [involved]” and would lead to “the release of all the hostages” and the rapid provision of urgently needed humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza.
Israel Palestine
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Rome’s chief rabbi accuses Pope Francis of ‘selective indignation’ about Gaza
The chief rabbi of Rome said Christian-Jewish dialogue has been a victim of the war unleashed with the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
Posted inPolitics & Society, The Weekly Dispatch
As cease-fire wobbles, new study finds Gaza death toll likely much higher than believed
A new report published in the U.K. medical journal The Lancet indicates that far from exaggerating the human suffering in Gaza, the ministry has likely underestimated the true number of the dead by as much as 41 percent.
Posted inFaith, News
Another somber Christmas in Bethlehem under the shadow of Gaza war
For the second straight year, Bethlehem’s Christmas celebrations will be somber and muted, in deference to ongoing war in Gaza.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Pope Francis and Palestinian president meet at Vatican
As the fighting in Gaza drags on, Pope Francis welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican. The Vatican press office said the two spoke privately for 30 minutes.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Listening to Pope Francis on genocide and the war in Gaza
What motivates the pope in his stand on the war in Gaza? And why are some Jewish partners in dialogue expressing misgivings about his words?
Posted inFaith, News
Pope Francis calls for investigation of possible genocide in Gaza in new book
Pope Francis said the international community should investigate whether Israel’s military actions in Gaza constitute genocide.
Posted inFaith, News
Hostages freed from Gaza meet with Pope Francis
The freed hostages also said they hoped the incoming Trump administration would work with the outgoing Biden administration to bring the remaining hostages home.
Posted inEditorials, Politics & Society
President Biden should pressure Israel to end war in Gaza before he leaves office.
The Editors: This moment cries out for the kind of decisive action that perhaps only a lame-duck presidency can bring about: putting the burden of peace on Israel for bringing the war in Gaza to an end.
Posted inPolitics & Society, The Weekly Dispatch
The Holy Land’s Christian leaders speak out against humanitarian disaster in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank
Joseph Hazboun, CNEWA’s regional director in Jerusalem, described expanding difficulties for the Christian Arab community on the West Bank but added that nothing, of course, compared to the complete humanitarian breakdown being experienced in Gaza.