Easter

Gaza's Christians 'heartbroken' for pope who phoned them nightly

Christians in Gaza said that they had "lost a man who fought every day in every direction to protect this small herd of his."

 Palestinian Christians attend an Easter Mass at the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church, in Gaza City, April 20, 2025.
 A "Blood Moon" is seen during a lunar eclipse over Jerusalem July 27, 2018.

Lunar eclipse over Jerusalem may mark date of Jesus's crucifixion, NASA reports

 People carry crosses next to a flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers, during a protest against the burning of the Christmas tree in Hama, in Damascus, Syria December 24, 2024.

On a united Easter, the lives and struggles of Christians in the Middle East

 Pope Francis speaks from a balcony on the day of the "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and to the world) message, at St. Peter's Square, on Easter Sunday, in the Vatican, April 20, 2025.

Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire during Easter appearance


Easter laughter: Controversial medieval history of religious jokes

Opinion: There has always been scope for joy and laughter in Easter celebrations.

 Laughing priest (illustrative)

Text at pope's Good Friday service scrapped after Ukrainian protest

"Faced with death, silence is the most eloquent of words."

 Pope Francis leads the Good Friday Passion of the Lord service at the Vatican

Ukraine war overshadows pope's Good Friday services

The Good Friday service is one of the few events where the pope does not deliver a homily.

 Pope Francis leads the Good Friday Passion of the Lord service at the Vatican

Pope visits Italian prison for traditional foot washing Mass

The pope washed and kissed the feet of 12 male and female inmates.

 Pope Francis celebrates the Holy Mass in Coena Domini at the Civitavecchia prison

The roots of the Easter bunny explained

Opinion: This mythical figure has taken a long journey from European prehistory to today.

 Easter bunny (illustrative)

Theologian explains different Baptist views on Jesus' resurrection

Opinion: Resurrection is a pivotal event in the Chrsitian faith.

 The resurrection

Jerusalem Patriarchate: Christrians defy police, gather for Holy Fire event

"There is no justification” for limiting gatherings this year, the Patriarchate said.

Worshippers hold candles as they take part in the Christian Orthodox Holy Fire ceremony at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old city May 4, 2013.

Ukrainians want Russians removed from pope's Good Friday procession

The text of the meditation speaks of reconciliation and reconstruction

 Pope Francis leads the Via Crucis procession at Rome's Colosseum

Museum of the Bible launches Passover, Easter exhibits: videos

Passover starts Friday night at sundown. Easter is on Sunday, April 17.

 Stations of the Cross with Jeff Cavins

Bethlehem pins economic hopes on resumption of tourism for Easter

Palestinians also hoping for visitors to revive ailing industry.

 Father Rami Asakriyah sprinkles holy water on palm fronds during the Palm Sunday service at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the West Bank, April 10, 2022.