"Disbelief and horror," Michael La Civita, director of communications for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, told OSV News, describing his reaction just hours after an Oct. 17 strike on al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.
The facility, a humanitarian outreach of the Episcopal
"War does not solve any problems, it only sows death and destruction. It increases hatred, multiplies revenge. War erases the future," he said at the end of his general audience talk in St. Peter's Square Oct. 18.
"Our thoughts go to Palestine and
While Palestinian officials said the hospital was hit in an Israeli strike and had killed some 500 people, the Israel Defense Forces said intelligence showed Palestinian Islamic Jihad group was responsible for the "failed rocket launch" that struck the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital.
"An
As the tragedy of Hamas’ war on Israel escalates, Kathryn Jean Lopez writes: “Israel has asked civilians in Gaza to leave before they go in to clear out the terrorists and, please God, free hostages. Why won’t Arab neighbors be more
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa’s recent offer to exchange himself for the children held hostage in the Gaza Strip by Hamas is a testament to his extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to peace. This selfless act of courage has showcased his dedication to the
Pope Francis phoned Holy Family parish -- the only Catholic parish in Gaza -- the evening of Oct. 15, Vatican News reported. Sister Saleh said Father Asaad passed her the phone because he doesn't speak Italian as well as she does.
After Hamas
In an Oct. 13 statement, the patriarchs and heads of the churches of Jerusalem urged "the people of our congregations and all those of goodwill around the world to observe a Day of Prayer and Fasting" on Oct. 17.
The efforts are "in
Catholic colleges and universities throughout the U.S. have condemned a devastating attack on Israel, while calling for prayers for peace.
Peter Kilpatrick, president of The Catholic University of America in Washington, said in an Oct. 12 statement that the university "continues to pray"
A Jesuit priest who directs an ecumenical institute in Jerusalem says he feels "a deep sense of compassion for what Israelis and Palestinians" are experiencing amid a war that has so far killed at least 2,300. Father John Paul, rector of the
Pope Francis condemned Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel and pleaded with the militants to free their hostages unharmed, but he also expressed concern about Israel's tightening siege on Gaza and its impact on innocent civilians.
"I continue to follow with sorrow and apprehension