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.

|ByJONATHAN LIEBERMAN
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

The custom at such international gatherings is to shake hands with the people on either side. Then-Israeli president Moshe Katsav was seen shaking hands with then-Iranian president Mohammad Khatami.

|ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
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

UCL's Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Society, which purports to explore the teachings of Islam as taught by the Prophet and his household, posted its "condolences" on Khamenei's "martyrdom."

|ByMATHILDA HELLER
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

Before sprinkling ashes on the heads of participants, a sign of mortality, the pope said the ashes could represent "the weight of a world that is ablaze, of entire cities destroyed by war."

|ByREUTERS

Catholic Church split on women deacons, Vatican document shows

The Vatican document stressed the need to "give fuller recognition" to women in the Church, saying that "by virtue of Baptism, they enjoy full equality".

JULY 9, 2024ByREUTERS
Pope Francis reacts on the day he holds a weekly general audience at Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, June 26, 2024.

Pope Francis considering making trip to Israel

The Pope shared that he is considering visiting Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Jordan for the second time.

JUNE 22, 2024ByJOSH ARONSON
Pope Francis greets people as he arrives for the weekly general audience at Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, June 19, 2024.

Vatican tightens procedures on supposed 'supernatural events'

Friday's document mentioned, as an example of past confusion, alleged supernatural appearances by the Virgin Mary in Amsterdam in the 1940s and 1950s which were eventually ruled invalid in 2020.

MAY 17, 2024ByREUTERS
Pope Francis gestures from a balcony at St. Peter's Square, on Easter Sunday, at the Vatican March 31, 2024.

Round two of Easter in Jerusalem coming up in a month

Churches abide by different calendars, hence the holidays fall on different days most years.

APRIL 7, 2024ByNICOLE JANSEZIAN/THE MEDIA LINE
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Metropolitan Theophilos (C) takes part in the Easter Sunday mass procession inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's old city

Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire in Easter address

Francis has repeatedly deplored the death and destruction in the Gaza war.

MARCH 31, 2024ByREUTERS
Pope Francis looks on from a balcony, on the day he delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (To the city and the world) message at St. Peter's Square, on Easter Sunday, at the Vatican March 31, 2024.

'War is always a defeat': Pope calls to end wars in Gaza, Ukraine

"We should never forget that war is always a defeat," Pope Francis said.

MARCH 20, 2024ByREUTERS
Pope Francis reacts during the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, March 20, 2024.

My Word: White flags, red flags, giving in, and giving up - opinion

The pope is not alone in confusing white flags with white smoke while the world burns.

MARCH 15, 2024ByLIAT COLLINS
POPE FRANCIS leaves after the weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, on Wednesday

Pope sees 'hypocrisy' in those who criticize LGBT blessings

He also stressed that such blessings do not amount to formal Church approval for same-sex unions.

FEBRUARY 7, 2024ByREUTERS
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 says Africans are 'special case' when it comes to LGBT blessings

Blessings were allowed last month in a document called Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust), which has caused widespread debate in the Catholic Church.

JANUARY 29, 2024ByREUTERS
Pope Francis leads the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 11, 2023.

Pope 'colluding with forces of evil' against Jews, South Africa's chief rabbi says

Defending Israel's right to self-defense, Chief Rabbi of South Africa Dr. Warren Goldstein accused the Pope of "primitive pacifism."

DECEMBER 19, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
(L-R) South African Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein, Pope Francis