International

Bethlehem celebrates 1st Christmas in two years

A 15-metre Christmas tree lights up Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem this year after a two-year pause from all festivities in solidarity with the city’s fellow Palestinians in Gaza.

Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine: Christians don't lose hope

The Nuncio to Israel and Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine, Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, comments on the recent arson attack on the Christmas tree of the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Jenin, West Bank.

Cardinal Pizzaballa: We will do everything possible for Gaza

Following his second visit in six months to the Gaza Strip—the first since the ceasefire—the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem speaks of a strong desire to return to normal life.

Christmas joy eases fear for future in West Bank Christian village

The only entirely Christian village of the West Bank is getting ready to celebrate the Lord9;s coming in an atmosphere halfway between the joy of the festivity and the fear of new attacks by Israeli colonists.

Message from the Holy Land: Peace is not an illusion but a life choice

Violence begets death and destruction, revenge begets hatred and pain. News and pictures from Gaza and other war-torn lands show the physical and moral suffering of the innocent and defenceless.

Cardinal Pizzaballa arrives in Gaza ahead of Christmas

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is on a pastoral visit to the Parish of the Holy Family and will preside over the Christmas Mass on Sunday.

Pakistani Christians live out Christmas spirit in the midst of security measures

As the world prepares for the Christmas season, Christians in Pakistan are working together with civil authorities to implement special measures to ensure maximum security near Christian churches.

International Mountain Day: Preserving our tallest lifelines

From biblical mountaintops to Ethiopia’s cliff churches, mountain regions hold deep spiritual and ecological significance, now threatened by rapid glacier loss and and a warming planet.

Zayed Award judges: Human fraternity is a mission for everyone

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and former European Council President Charles Michel, two judges on the commission to select the honorees of the 2025 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, share their perspectives on the importance of promoting human fraternity in the midst of a world marked by conflict and division.

COMECE expresses concern over EU Court judgement on same-sex marriage

The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union expresses concern in a statement over a recent ruling by the EU Court of Justice on the recognition of same-sex marriages across Member States.

Holy See: Ukrainian children must return to their families

The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations continues its efforts, including through Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, for the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia.

Holy See highlights 'the human face of the climate crisis' at COP30

The head of the Holy See’s delegation to COP30 addresses environment ministers from around the world, stressing the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation and not lose sight of “the human face of the climate crisis.”

Cardinal David at COP30: We must not make it so easy to abuse nature

On the sidelines of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, Cardinal Pablo David of the Philippines brings the voice of all Filipinos, suffering first hand the horrific consequences of climate change.

Pope to COP30: ‘If you want to cultivate peace, care for creation'

In a message delivered by Cardinal Parolin at the UN Climate Conference in Belém, the Pope calls for urgent action and an “ecological conversion” rooted in responsibility, justice, and solidarity.

Cardinal Parolin: Time is running out to act on climate

In an interview on the sidelines of the Climate Summit in Belém, Brazil, ahead of COP30, Cardinal Parolin speaks to Vatican News of the Church’s commitment to offer an ethical response to Climate Change, warning that environmental crises now displace more people than wars.

Holy See: When development loses sight of people it descends into crisis

Monsignor Daniel Pacho, Under-Secretary for Multilateral Aﬀairs at the Vatican Secretariat of State, speaks about the importance of confronting the development crisis at a Ministerial Conference of the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Vitae Fest Rome 2025 to join music and art on behalf of reconciliation

The Vitae Fest 2025 is set to take place in Rome on October 25 to join music, art, and reconciliation under the theme: &ldquoDon&rsquot burn bridges, become one.&rdquo

Holy See: Eliminating nuclear weapons is an urgent moral imperative

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Holy See&rsquos Permanent Observer to the United Nations, urges the international community to work towards preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, while speaking at the UN&rsquos General Assembly.

ACN Religious Freedom Report: 5 billion people face violations

Aid to the Church in Need&rsquos 2025 report on religious freedom around the world points out how persecution is on the rise as almost 5.4 billion people live in countries with serious violations of religious freedom.

Cardinal Parolin: Holy See is full of hope for success of peace plan for Gaza

Speaking to journalists at the launch of Aid to the Church in Need's Religious Freedom Report, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin decries the violence in the Middle East, attacks on Christians, and the intimidation of the free press.

Archbishop Mourad: Interreligious dialogue is a necessity in Syria

Archbishop Jacques Mourad, Metropolitan of Homs in Syria, receives the St. John Paul II Award in the Vatican in recognition of his dedication to peace and reconciliation, despite spending five months in captivity at the hands of the so-called Islamic State.

8 years after ISIS, two historic churches in Mosul reopen their doors

In the heart of Mosul&rsquos Old City, politicians, clergymen and members of the faithful gather to reinaugurate the Mar Toma and Al-Tahira churches, which had been vandalised and destroyed by so-called Islamic State.

Patriarch Pizzaballa: A new language and new witnesses for a narrative of peace

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem reflects on the historical moment in the Holy Land following the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, and affirms: &ldquoWe have a duty toward our communities &mdash to help them look ahead, positively and serenely, toward a different future.&rdquo

Holy See: Structural causes must be identified to eradicate poverty

Addressing a United Nations Committee in New York, the Holy See Permanent Observer to the UN marks World Food Day, noting that structural causes need to be identified and addressed in order to eradicate poverty and hunger.

Holy See at UN: Build lasting peace through development, not military spending

In 2024 global military spending reached $2.7 trillion, while the funding gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains at $4 trillion per year. For every dollar invested in peace, two are spent on war. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations tells the UN that: “Every increase in military spending represents resources that could have been used to meet people’s basic needs and to establish a lasting peace.”

Cardinal Pizzaballa welcomes Gaza agreement as ‘first step towards hope

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem expresses joy for the news of an agreement between Israel and Hamas describing it as a necessary first step that brings an atmosphere of trust and hope to the people of the region.

Parolin on October 7, Gaza: Human beings are not collateral damage

The Holy See Secretary of State speaks to Vatican Media on the second anniversary of Hamas's 'inhuman' attack on Israel, which unleashed the destruction of the Gaza Strip. He says that what is happening in Gaza is 'inhuman', and that he's struck by the turnout at peace marches. He adds that antisemitism is a cancer that must be eradicated.

'Never again war!' Pope Paul VIs unheeded and still urgently relevant appeal

Sixty years ago Pope Paul VI addressed the United Nations.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem urges hope and prayer as ceasefire talks advance

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa welcomes signs of a possible ceasefire, calling them “a long-awaited first step,” while urging hope, prayer, and realism. He highlights ongoing suffering and invites the faithful to join a day of prayer for peace on 11 October.

Holy See urges action on youth empowerment, health and mental well-being

Addressing the United Nations’ General Assembly, the Vatican is highlighting the need to do more for young people and to step up efforts to fight non-communicable diseases and mental health challenges.