The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/catholic-church/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:55:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Catholic Church | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/catholic-church/ 32 32 At Spain’s Sagrada Familia, now the world’s tallest church, pope speaks out against war https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-visit-to-spains-sagrada-familia-pope-leo-speaks-out-against-war/ Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:50:03 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3840897 Visit marks inauguration of tallest spire at basilica, which has been under construction for 144 years and is not expected to be finished before 2035

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]]> Pope criticizes Trump administration over ‘outdated’ idea of a ‘just war’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-criticizes-trump-administration-over-outdated-idea-of-a-just-war/ Mon, 25 May 2026 12:49:29 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3830162 Leo XIV uses first encyclical to push anti-war message that has angered Washington, warning against falling into a 'violent culture of power'

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]]> Rubio meets pope in Vatican amid ongoing feud between Trump and Catholic leader https://www.timesofisrael.com/rubio-meets-pope-in-vatican-amid-ongoing-feud-between-trump-and-catholic-leader/ Thu, 07 May 2026 13:28:59 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3818406 State Department says two discussed situation in Mideast, 'underscored the strong relationship' between US and Vatican, 'shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity'

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]]> ‘Feels like a blessing’: On Orthodox Easter, Christians flock back to the Holy Sepulchre https://www.timesofisrael.com/feels-like-a-blessing-on-orthodox-easter-christians-flock-back-to-the-holy-sepulchre/ Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:30:27 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3800229 During the ceasefire with Iran, the iconic church that enshrines what many consider Jesus's tomb opens to the public and Christians from across denominations return with cautious joy

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]]> Pope urges peace in his first Easter mass: ‘Let those who have weapons lay them down’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-urges-peace-in-his-first-easter-mass-let-those-who-have-weapons-lay-them-down/ Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:49:33 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3795203 Leo XIV departs from tradition of listing world's conflict by name in the Urbi et Orbi blessing at St. Peter's Basilica, where he greets crowd in 10 languages

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]]> Pope Leo calls on Christian leaders to overcome divisions at landmark event in Turkey https://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-leo-calls-on-christian-leaders-to-overcome-divisions-at-landmark-event-inturkey/ Fri, 28 Nov 2025 14:39:40 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3700024 Pontiff meets church leaders from Turkey, Egypt, Israel to mark anniversary of early council; urges followers to care for migrants, day after talks with Erdogan

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]]> Vatican investigates Swiss Guard after alleged antisemitic incident in St. Peter’s Square https://www.timesofisrael.com/vatican-investigates-swiss-guard-after-alleged-antisemitic-incident-in-st-peters-square/ Mon, 10 Nov 2025 19:10:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3685631 Israeli writer and theater director says member of the guard hissed 'the Jews' at her, and a colleague made spitting gesture, during a papal audience last month

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]]> Pope Leo says key document revolutionizing Catholic-Jewish ties ‘highly relevant today’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-leo-says-key-document-revolutionizing-catholic-jewish-ties-highly-relevant-today/ Wed, 29 Oct 2025 03:16:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3676175 Pontiff marks 60 years since publication of 'Nostra Aetate,' which he says 'takes firm stand against all forms of antisemitism' and stresses the 'profound principle' of dialogue

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]]> As Nostra Aetate turns 60, Oct. 7 has pushed Jewish-Catholic ties to new ‘crossroads’ https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-nostra-aetate-turns-60-oct-7-has-pushed-jewish-catholic-ties-to-new-crossroads/ Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:06:58 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3675181 Amid events in Vatican celebrating document that reshaped relations with Jews, Israeli expert Karma Ben-Johanan says ties are affected by Church's shifting focus to Global South

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]]> Faith communities, including Jews, experiment with AI tools — to mixed feedback https://www.timesofisrael.com/faith-communities-including-jews-experiment-with-ai-tools-to-mixed-feedback/ Fri, 03 Oct 2025 05:50:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3655243 Some love their virtual study partners, but Rabbi Gilah Langner warns 'emotional connection' is missing in AI's advice

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]]> In St. Peter’s Square, pilgrims hail new ‘Millennial’ saint, unaware of anti-Jewish undertones https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-st-peters-square-pilgrims-hail-new-millennial-saint-unaware-of-anti-jewish-undertones/ Thu, 18 Sep 2025 08:40:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3643421 Chief rabbi of Rome says it’s unsurprising many know little of the Church's history of antisemitism, but focusing on newly canonized Carlo Acutis's work is not the right way to address it

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]]> First ‘millennial saint’ is about to be canonized for publicizing miracles with troubling past https://www.timesofisrael.com/first-millennial-saint-is-about-to-be-canonized-for-publicizing-miracles-with-troubling-past/ Sat, 06 Sep 2025 05:04:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3613192 On Sept. 7, Pope Leo XIV will confer sainthood on Carlo Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006 at age 15 after platforming 'bleeding host' miracles. But a history of antisemitism clouds the fanfare

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]]> Orthodox Church in Gaza City ordered to evacuate by Israeli army https://www.timesofisrael.com/orthodox-church-in-gaza-city-ordered-to-evacuate-by-israeli-army/ Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:49:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3628447 Church leaders have vowed that clergy and nuns won't leave, will stay to assist those who cannot flee, as IDF plans Gaza City conquest

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]]> Pope Leo to visit Lebanon, cardinal says, in pontiff’s likely first trip abroad https://www.timesofisrael.com/pope-leo-to-visit-lebanon-cardinal-says-in-pontiffs-likely-first-trip-abroad/ Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:01:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3624347 Tour expected to include Turkey, as part of celebrations in late November for the 1,700th anniversary of a major early Church council

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]]> American Jewish Committee gifts $25,000 to Gaza church damaged by Israeli shelling https://www.timesofisrael.com/american-jewish-committee-gifts-25000-to-gaza-church-damaged-by-israeli-shelling/ Sat, 02 Aug 2025 09:47:15 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3611817 In rare donation to Gaza from a mainstream US Jewish group, AJC says 'in wake of this tragedy, we want to be there for Catholic partners who have been there for the Jewish people'

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