Pope

Passover, war and faith: Moral clarity matters in Israel’s defense - opinion

As Passover begins, a rabbinic voice challenges the Pope’s remarks on war, arguing that Jewish ethics demand moral clarity and the obligation of self-defense.

Pope Leo XIV speaks to the media as he leaves the papal residence to head back to the Vatican, in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, March 31, 2026.
Cardinals take part in the funeral of Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square April 8, 2005 in Vatican City, Vatican.

The Israeli-Iranian handshake at Pope John Paul II's funeral

University College London's Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Society mourning the death of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, March 2, 2026

'Like death of pope': UCL Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Society doubles down on mourning 'beloved' Khamenei

POPE LEO XIV puts ash on a faithful's head during the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome, Italy, February 18, 2026.

'A world that is ablaze': Pope Leo laments war, environmental destruction, in Ash Wednesday service


Pope Francis deplores Israeli killings of civilians at Gaza church

An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the incident was still under review and had no immediate comment on the pope's words.

 Pope Francis leads an ecumenical prayer vigil in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, September 30, 2023.

Pope deplores end of Israeli-Hamas truce, calls for new ceasefire

"Many hostages have been freed but many are still in Gaza. We think of them, of their families, who had seen a light, a hope of embracing their loved ones again."

 Pope Francis leads the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 11, 2023.

Pope says conflict between Israel and Hamas has gone beyond war to 'terrorism'

The Pope asked for prayers so that both sides would "not go ahead with passions, which in the end, kill everyone".

 Pope Francis leads the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 11, 2023.

Pope Francis to meet with Gaza hostages' families

The Vatican has been vocal in calling for the release of all hostages as well as a ceasefire.

 Pope Francis speaks during a meeting with members of Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service (CHARIS) at the Paul VI hall at the Vatican, November 4, 2023

Pope Francis urged to intervene in Israeli hostage crisis

The hostages, captured by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, are reported to be in dire conditions, with fears of torture and urgent medical needs.

 Pope Francis meets with the delegation of the Conference of European Rabbis at the Vatican, November 6, 2023.

In a first, a Jewish organization opens an office at the Vatican

WJC said its “Kishreinu” initiative was a response to Nostra Aetate, the landmark 1965 document that modernized the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church, Judaism and other religions.

 World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder gives Pope Francis a a “Kishreinu” (Hebrew for “Our Bond”) document marking influence of the Catholic Church's Nostra Aetate declaration on Catholic-Jewish relations, Oct. 19, 2023.

‘I pray for those families’: Pope Francis calls on Hamas to free Israeli hostages

The death toll in Israel from Hamas' attack has reached 1,300, with more than 3,000 people injured, as hostages remain trapped in Gaza.

 Pope Francis attends the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, March 29, 2023.

Vatican Jerusalem Cardinal appointment signals diplomatic and religious intentions

The appointment of Archbishop Pizzaballa as a cardinal underlines the Vatican's desire to play a more active role in the ongoing diplomatic discussions concerning Jerusalem.

Cardinal-elect Pierbattista Pizzaballa at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem during Easter week, 2023.

No 'sea of death': Pope calls for pan-European action on migration

Francis spoke out in favor of welcoming migrants, in a long speech that concluded a Church conference on Mediterranean issues.

 Pope Francis reacts as he attends a meeting at Palais du Pharo, on the occasion of the Mediterranean Meetings (MED 2023), in Marseille, France, September 23, 2023.

Pope says impeding migrant rescues at sea is 'gesture of hate'

According to the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, about 178,500 migrants have come to Europe in the year to date via the Mediterranean, while about 2,500 died or went missing on the way.

 Pope Francis holds the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, March 8, 2023.