Gaza Huddled Churches

Pope shares Christmas message, marking start of church's Holy Year

Pilgrims lined up to walk through the great Holy Door at the entrance of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome as Christmas marks the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration.

CBS News - 23m

Amid Gaza war, another year of subdued Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem

For a second straight year, the war raging in Gaza has kept pilgrims and tourists away from Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, where Christmas tourism makes up about 70% of the city's economy. ...

CBS News - 1h

Pope Francis Calls for Peace in Ukraine and Gaza on Christmas

Pope Francis’ Christmas message was a plea for reconciliation, peace and care for others.

The New York Times - 3h

Baby girl freezes to death in Gaza while Israel and Hamas argue over ceasefire

Three-week-old Sila is the third baby to die from the cold in Gaza’s tent camps in recent days, according to doctors. A baby girl froze to death overnight in Gaza, while Israel and Hamas accused ...

The Guardian - 4h

Famine Warning for Northern Gaza Draws U.S. Rebuke and Raises Questions

The dispute highlights the difficulties with data collection in Gaza that have hampered humanitarian efforts since the war began.

The New York Times - 5h

Christians huddled in Gaza speak to the Pope every night

Nightly calls from pontiff comfort Palestinians sheltering in churches for a second Christmas

Financial Times - 20h

Christians in Gaza, Huddled in Churches, Celebrate Christmas

Some say that the community is in danger of losing its 1,600-year foothold in the enclave and that it is far from certain those who have fled will ever feel safe enough to return home.

The New York Times - 1d

Israeli tech CEO who was severely wounded in Gaza sells startup for about $100 million

Less than a year after being wounded in Gaza, Itamar Ben Hemo sold software startup Rivery last week to Pennsylvania-based Boomi.

CNBC - 2d

Church must 'be changed' after abuse scandals, Archbishop says

Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, has faced calls to resign over his handling of a sexual abuse case involving a priest.

BBC News - 12h

Christmas in Bethlehem celebrated under the shadow of Israel's war in Gaza

Faith leaders and residents in Bethlehem are grappling with how to mark the festive holiday while fellow Palestinians continue to be killed.

NBC News - 16h

Israel targets Gaza hospital as lawmakers extend state of emergency

Yahoo News - 1d

St. Peter's Basilica restored for Catholic Church's 2025 Jubilee Year

Pope Francis will celebrate the Vatican's traditional Christmas Eve midnight mass in a newly restored St. Peter's Basilica. It's one of a series of projects in Rome as the city prepares to usher in ...

CBS News - 1d

Middle East crisis live: one child killed every hour in Gaza, UN says

UN agency for Palestine refugees said 14,500 Palestinian children killed since the start of the war last October. Israeli forces have killed a Palestinian man in a dawn raid on a refugee camp near ...

The Guardian - 1d

Only 1 hospital in northern Gaza now able to provide services, say officials

Health officials say there is just one hospital left providing humanitarian aid services in northern Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

ABC News - 1d

We should all sing the praises of City of London churches

These historic buildings remain important places of sanctuary, heritage and inspiration for many

Financial Times - 1d

Denzel Washington gets minister's license at Harlem church

Just shy of his 70th birthday, Denzel Washington has a new line to add to an already impressive résumé.

CBS News - 2d

Immigrants prepare action plans after Trump says he will allow ICE to act in schools, churches and hospitals

Immigrant's rights advocates are helping vulnerable families prepare plans of action in case an undocumented relative is suddenly detained or deported.

NBC News - 2d

Premature babies among hundreds at risk as Israeli forces besiege Gaza hospital, director warns

Premature babies are among those at risk of dying if one of the remaining hospitals in northern Gaza follows Israeli orders to evacuate, the facility’s director warned.