Middle East - Africa News

Father Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family who was wounded in a recent strike on the church, stands before the altar during a Sunday morning Mass held by the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem at the church in Gaza City on July 20, 2025.

Exclusive: Gaza priest injured in Israeli bombing discusses impact on parish community

Jul 24, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

In an exclusive interview with “EWTN Noticias,” Father Gabriel Romanelli spoke about the July 17 bombing of Holy Family Parish... Read more

A picture shows a view of a damaged facade of the Holy Family Church on July 18, 2025, a day after it was hit in an Israeli strike in Gaza City on July 17.

Israel says ‘deviation of munitions’ led to deadly strike on Gaza Catholic church

Jul 23, 2025

By Daniel Payne

The July 17 strike claimed the lives of three civilians at Holy Family Church and injured nine, including the pastor,... Read more

On July 11, 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed Father Michel Guillaud, a priest of the Diocese of  Lyon, France, as the new bishop of Hippo in Algeria, St. Augustine’s see.

Pope Leo’s words ‘I am a son of Augustine’ thrilled Algeria, home of the saint’s diocese

Jul 23, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

After more than a year of vacancy, on July 11 Pope Leo XIV appointed Father Michel Guillaud to head the... Read more

Father Alphonsus Afina.

Nigerian priest released from captivity after being kidnapped by Boko Haram

Jul 22, 2025

By Daniel Payne

The Fairbanks Diocese last month urged the faithful to “pray for [Afina’s] freedom from captivity and for his physical and... Read more

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa (left) and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III hold a joint press conference in Jerusalem on July 22, 2025.

Cardinal Pizzaballa: ‘Christ is not absent from Gaza’ amid war

Jul 22, 2025

By Kristina Millare

While expressing particular solidarity with Christian communities in Gaza, the cardinal emphasized that the Church’s “mission” in Gaza is open... Read more

Sebastião Marques Panzo, director of the National Secretariat for the Apostolate of the Laity of the Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST).

National congress for laity in Angola ‘decisive milestone for Church’

Jul 22, 2025

By João Vissesse

The upcoming July 24–25 congress marks the resumption of a four-year cycle of coordination of the laity that was interrupted... Read more

Father Gabriel Romanelli, parish priest at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Family who was wounded in a recent strike on the church, stands before the altar during a Sunday morning Mass held by the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem at the church in Gaza City on July 20, 2025.

Pastor of Gaza church hit by Israeli fire: ‘We are in God’s grace and we persevere in faith’

Jul 21, 2025

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The pastor of the only Catholic church in Gaza, Argentine priest Father Gabriel Romanelli, posted a video on his YouTube... Read more

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called Pope Leo XIV on Monday, July 21, 2025, to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.

Palestine’s president calls Pope Leo XIV concerning Holy Land conflict

Jul 21, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Pope Leo XIV on Monday spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who called the pope to discuss the conflict in... Read more

Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia say the situation currently in Ethiopia “calls more than ever” for a unified voice.

Catholic bishops in Ethiopia call for ‘unified voice’ in confronting violent conflicts

Jul 20, 2025

By Nicholas Waigwa

“The Church, as a mother, always longs and grieves for her children to enter into peace,” the bishops said, encouraging... Read more

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, leave the church after a visit to Holy Family Parish in Gaza on July 18, 2025.

Pizzaballa, Patriarch Theophilos III visit Holy Family Church in Gaza after Israeli attack

Jul 18, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Both religious leaders led an ecclesiastical delegation into Gaza to “offer condolences and solidarity” with both Christian and non-Christian families. Read more

A view of the damage to Holy Family Church in Gaza City following an Israeli strike on the church in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City on July 17, 2025. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said an Israeli strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church killed three and injured several people on July 17, including the parish priest, as well as causing damage to the building.

Israel says Holy Family Church in Gaza was ‘mistakenly’ hit, ‘regrets’ damage

Jul 18, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a post on X saying “fragments from a shell” hit the parish church, which has... Read more

Pope Leo XIV called Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa on Friday, July 18, 2025, just before the cardinal entered Gaza following the July 17 attack on Holy Family Parish in Gaza.

Pope to Cardinal Pizzaballa after Gaza church attack: ‘It is time to stop this slaughter’

Jul 18, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

“It is time to stop this slaughter.” With these words, Pope Leo XIV expressed his firm condemnation of the Israeli... Read more

Holy Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, led by the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli during the Advent season in December 2024.

8 things to know about the only Catholic parish in Gaza

Jul 18, 2025

By Kate Quiñones

Amid the ongoing war in Gaza, the Holy Family Church has been a refuge for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Here... Read more

Father Gabriel Romanelli with Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, celebrating Christmas Mass at Holy Family Parish in Gaza in December 2024.

Gaza’s only Catholic priest among injured in Israeli attack

Jul 17, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

The Holy Family Church in Gaza was hit Thursday amid a new wave of Israeli bombings, leaving several people dead... Read more

Bishop Joseph Mary Kizito, the Liaison Bishop for the SACBC Migrants and Refugees Office.

Bishop says U.S. aid cuts, not migrants, crippling South Africa’s health system

Jul 17, 2025

By Agnes Aineah

A South African bishop blames “recent suspension of most U.S. foreign aid”" for medication shortages and a rise in violence... Read more

A view of the damage to Holy Family Church in Gaza City following an Israeli strike on the church in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City on July 17, 2025. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said the strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church killed two and injured several people, including the parish priest, as well as causing damage to the building.

Pope urges immediate ceasefire after deadly attack on Catholic parish in Gaza

Jul 17, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

Following a strike against the only Catholic Church in Gaza, which left at least two dead on July 17, Pope... Read more

A view of the damage to the Holy Family church in Gaza City following an Israeli strike on the church, in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City on July 17, 2025.

UPDATE: Latin Patriarchate confirms Holy Family Church in Gaza hit, 3 deaths reported

Jul 17, 2025

By Sanad Sahelia

The direct strike killed three people, as confirmed by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem hours after the attack.   Read more

Heads of churches in Jerusalem visited the town of Taybeh in Ramallah on July 14, 2025.

Jerusalem church leaders visit Taybeh: Christians’ presence in the Holy Land is at risk 

Jul 16, 2025

By Sanad Sahelia

The delegation to the West Bank was led by Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch... Read more

The port city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

‘A living and discreet Church’: Despite persecution, Catholic faith endures in Saudi Arabia

Jul 16, 2025

By Victoria Cardiel

Unlike neighboring countries that have shown signs of openness, when it comes to religious freedom Saudi Arabia remains one of... Read more

Archbishop Jacques Mourad denounced the practice of people driving around in official cars with loudspeakers proclaiming verses from the Quran and calling on Christians to convert.

Amid great danger, ‘Jesus wants his Church to remain in Syria,’ archbishop says

Jul 15, 2025

By Diego López Marina

The Syrian Catholic archbishop of Homs in Syria, Jacques Mourad, has issued an urgent appeal for the future of the... Read more