CNA—In 1852, the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Majid II issued a decree ordering the governor of Jerusalem and his council, as well as all the churches, to make no changes in the holy places of the city. The decree became known as the Status Quo. Echoing the ancient rhythms Since that decree, members of the Christian…
CNA—When Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, was created a cardinal by Pope Francis on Sept. 30, 2023, few would have imagined that within a week, he would find himself leading his Church amid one of the bloodiest conflicts in the region’s recent history. Vocation of a Cardinal: “Even to the shedding of…
Christians united in prayer and solidarity for Gaza and the Holy Land. CNA—Jerusalem—The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has arrived in the Holy Land in a solidarity visit to the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. His visit began Friday, Oct. 20. Just two days earlier, on the evening of Oct. 17, the Al Ahli Anglican Hospital…
Cardinal-elect Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, recently spoke with ACI Mena, CNA’s news partner agency in the Middle East, about increasing attacks on Christians by Israeli extremists, his hope for Christians in the Holy Land, and his surprise at being named a cardinal by Pope Francis. How widespread are the recent attacks against…
JERUSALEM (CNA/EWTN News)—Christian leaders re-opened the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem (pictured left) after the city backtracked on proposals seen as targeting Christianity in the region. On Feb. 25, Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian church leaders jointly decided to close the sacred site indefinitely, protesting two controversial proposals in the city. The proposals…
