We, the Council of Patriarchs and Heads of Churches of Jerusalem, are here today in Taybeh in solidarity with the local community following an intensifying trend of systemic and targeted attacks against them and their presence. We ask for the prayers, attention, and action of the world, particularly that of Christians globally. On Monday, 7 July 2025, radical [...]
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news,” (Is. 52,7) Declaration of the Catholic Ordinaries on the Ceasefire in Gaza The Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land welcome the announcement of the ceasefire in Gaza, which aims to end the hostilities in Gaza, return the Israeli hostages and [...]
On Thursday, September 17, at 6 pm, the Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Patton, OFM, will give a conference here in Washington, DC, followed by a question-and-answer session.Fr. Francesco Patton was appointed Custos of the Holy Land by Pope Francis in 2016. As such, he is a member of the Heads of the Churches [...]
To all the friars of the Custody Dear Brothers, May the Lord give you peace! As His Most Eminent Beatitude, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, our brother and Patriarch, reminded us, we are living in very difficult times, in which it is particularly important to pray for peace. assumption-englishDownload I seem to see a hopeful sign in the [...]
On July 6, the twins George and Johnny Jallouf, friars of the Custody of the Holy Land, were ordained priests in Aleppo, Syria. Brothers by blood, in their vocation as Franciscan Friars, and now in the priesthood as well. On Saturday, July 6, in their home city of Aleppo, Syria, George and Johnny Jallouf, of the Custody [...]