Patriarchs and heads of the churches in Jerusalem said in a joint Oct. 14 statement they "rejoice at the recent enactment of the ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of those held captive," which they hailed as "auspicious moment," noting "the work of peacebuilding has only just begun."| Catholic Review
President Donald Trump said during a meeting in Egypt on Oct. 13 that "phase two has started" of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas in response to a question from a reporter about when the next stage of negotiations would begin.| Catholic Review
The retreat, organized by the St. James vicariate for Hebrew-speaking Catholics and the Latin patriarchate's general secretariat for the youth in Galilee in collaboration with the Youth Pastoral Office of the Latin Patriarchate, brought together about 200 young people from the Arabic and Hebrew-speaking Catholic communities.| Catholic Review
In anticipation of the celebration Oct. 19 of World Mission Sunday, the Vatican's missionary news agency shared statistics about the Catholic population, church personnel and the works they are engaged in.| Catholic Review
The U.S. Catholic bishops have appointed veteran journalist Carol Glatz to head up their Rome-based news bureau, succeeding Cindy Wooden, another longtime journalist.| Catholic Review
Welcoming a group of Holy Year pilgrims from Russia, Pope Leo XIV did not mention their country's war on Ukraine, but he prayed that the pilgrims would let "the fire of Christian love" be kindled in their lives so it would warm "even the coldest and hardest of hearts."| Catholic Review
Pope Leo XIV traveled 23 miles by car to board the "Bel Espoir" sailboat and speak to the crew about peacemaking.| Catholic Review
The official state visit of Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican will focus on ecumenism and ecology, Vatican officials said Oct. 17.| Catholic Review
JERUSALEM (OSV News) — Parishioners of Gaza’s Holy Family Church are feeling “horror” and almost a sense of “desperation” after an Israeli tank shell struck the church, killing three elderly people sheltering there and injuring 10, said regional director of the Jerusalem office of Catholic Near East Welfare Association, or CNEWA, Joseph Hazboun.| catholicreview.org
JERUSALEM (OSV News) — Amid the destruction witnessed during their July 18–20 pastoral visit to Gaza, following the Israeli shelling of the Holy Family Parish church compound that killed three people and injured 10, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III said they found something more enduring — “the dignity of the human spirit.”| catholicreview.org
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The “barbarity of war” and forced displacement of people have to end, and civilians and places of worship have to be protected, Pope Leo XIV implored.| catholicreview.org
CASTEL GANDOLFO (CNS) — As part of his summer break, Pope Leo XIV visited members of the Italian Carabinieri in Castel Gandolfo and the Poor Clares in nearby Albano Laziale.| catholicreview.org
