Gaza

“What we felt is the desire to return to life. So they want to talk about the future, our community” amid Christmas celebrations and questions about the future.

As Christians prepare to celebrate Christmas, Caritas Jerusalem launched a “Christmas of Hope” campaign to bring joy amid ongoing suffering in the Holy Land.

Bethlehem rejoiced with the festive celebration of lighting of a 65-feet Christmas tree at the edge of Manger Square Dec. 6.

While it was their first meeting in person, Pope Leo and Abbas had spoken by telephone in July when the fighting was still raging in Gaza and the humanitarian disaster …

As a peace deal nears, Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of Gaza City’s Catholic parish, said the entire Gaza Strip has experienced a “tsunami” of destruction.

With the start of the first phase of a peace deal between Israel and Gaza, Pope Leo XIV prayed for a just and lasting peace that respects all people.

Israel’s government ratified what the White House called the “first phase” of a ceasefire deal, as President Donald Trump indicated he planned to visit the region.

“I am deeply struck and saddened by the images of these people held prisoner in tunnels, starved,” the cardinal said. “We cannot and must not forget them.”

The federal government shutdown stretched into its third day with indications it would continue after lawmakers once again failed to pass a spending bill. 

President Donald Trump on Oct. 3 called on Israel to stop bombing Gaza after Hamas agreed to the release of its Israeli hostages, pending negotiation of the details.