Pope Middle East

Before his death, Pope Francis gave Popemobile to Gaza children for medical use

Ahead of his death in April, Pope Francis directed the Catholic relief organization Caritas to turn the vehicle into a medical clinic used to treat Palestinian children.

 Preparing the popemobile for its new purpose as a roving medical device for kids in Gaza.
 Professor Michal Bar-Asher Segal researches Christianity.

'Revolutionary at the Vatican': A portrait of Pope Francis

 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.

Jewish groups criticize Pope on 'terrorism' remark, seek clarification

Pope Francis holds weekly audience at the Vatican, December 2, 2020.

Pope Francis to make risky trip to Iraq in early March


Pope Francis is aligning himself against Israel

Israel and the Jewish people should protest this measure in the strongest possible terms and make sure that Pope Francis realizes the damage he has done.

Pope Francis (R) shakes hands with Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas in the Vatican

Pope meets European chief rabbis to discuss rising anti-Semitism

Interfaith work, “is particularly relevant in the wake of recent attacks on the Jewish communities of Europe and the Catholic communities in Africa and the Middle East,” Moscow rabbi says.

Pope Francis waves as he delivers a "Urbi et Orbi" message at the Vatican April 5, 2015

May 30: More on the pope’s visit

Here is a man of intelligence who, I cannot conceive, is unaware of what the Palestinians were doing when they pushed him to the security barrier.

Letters 370

Washington Watch: Has peace got a prayer?

If neither side in the conflict is ready to recognize the other’s legitimacy and abandon rigid ideology in favor of reconciliation, peace doesn’t have a prayer, in any faith.

Pope Francis at the President’s Residence.

The papal message

Lasting just three days, Pope Francis' visit was shorter than the visit by Benedict XVI, which extended over a week.

Pope Francis at the West Bank separation barrier

Police detain 3 yeshiva students planning to disrupt Pope’s mass at King David’s Tomb

Apart from Monday’s detainments, police applaud "successful 2-day intensive security operation."

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man walks past a banner depicting Pope Francis, in Jerusalem's Old City

A pilgrimage to Jerusalem to see the Pope

Catholic journalists excited at opportunity to see the pontiff close up on his visit to Holy Land.

Pope arrives in Jerusalem

Despite lengthy wait, Pope touches hearts of Christian Palestinians in Bethlehem

‘Message of Christ still alive’ here, says believer, as Mass coincides with Islamic call to prayer from nearby mosque.

Pope Francis is greeted by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas upon his arrival to the West Bank city of Bethlehem May 25, 2014.

Abbas briefs Pope Francis on 'obstacles' to peace

Pontiff: PA president a 'peacemaker,' visit attests to good relations with 'State of Palestine.'

Pope greets masses in Bethlehem

President Peres and staff prepare for Pope's visit

Peres and the Pope will pray together for peace in the presence of 600 children representing the religious and ethnic mosaic of Israel’s population.

Worker at President's Residence prepares for Pope's visit