Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Archives

Church leaders oppose Israeli plans to annex unilaterally West Bank land

May 12, 2020

Moving forward with an Israeli plan to unilaterally annex West Bank land could mean the end to the already languishing Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, said the heads of the Holy Land churches.

By Judith Sudilovsky

When families pray together, Jesus is there, says Jerusalem archbishop

Apr 13, 2020

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, said being unable to attend Mass in a community has made people realize how much they miss “celebrating the love that conquers every death.”

By Judith Sudilovsky

Israel tightens quarantine in Jerusalem to halt virus spread

Apr 12, 2020

The Israeli government approved a tight quarantine of several areas of Jerusalem on Sunday, including the historic Old City, in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus in the city’s most susceptible neighborhoods.

By Ilan Ben Zion

Jerusalem’s Palm Sunday march scaled back due to coronavirus

Apr 5, 2020

A small group of Franciscan monks and Catholic faithful took to the streets of Jerusalem’s Christian Quarter in the Old City Sunday to distribute olive branches after the traditional Palm Sunday procession was cancelled due to restrictions imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus.

By Moshe Edri

Bethlehem holy sites to be closed after COVID-19 reported at hotel

Mar 6, 2020

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem urged its faithful to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health, following its order March 5 to close all schools, universities, mosques and churches, including the Church of the Nativity and Shepherd’s Field.

By Judith Sudilovsky

As COVID-19 spreads, Holy Land Catholics concerned, but sites still open

Feb 24, 2020

After Israel reported that 18 people from a recent South Korean tour group were infected with COVID-19, a coronavirus, a spokesman for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said officials were concerned how the diagnosis would affect Lenten and Easter pilgrimages.

By Judith Sudilovsky