On July 27, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), inaugurated “the Healing Wisdom Point” Dispensary at the Archdiocesan Center in Homs.

On July 27, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), inaugurated “the House of the Scattered Pearls: the Library of Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem I Barsoum” in Homs.

Jenin and Rafidia— Amid escalating instability and deepening hardship across the region, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, continues to demonstrate unwavering pastoral commitment by being physically present among his people. On Friday, July 25, 2025, the Patriarch carried out a special check-up visit to the Latin parishes of Jenin and Rafidia, accompanied by Msgr. Jamal Daibes, and Fr. Davide Meli, offering both spiritual support and a message of solidarity to communities facing significant trials.

In Jenin, His Beatitude was warmly received at the Holy Redeemer Church by Fr. Amer Jubran, the parish priest, along with other priests serving the parish and neighboring churches, as well as by the parishioners. Despite the ongoing challenges and destruction that have affected the area in recent months, the atmosphere was one of hope and unwavering faith as the Patriarch presided over a Mass concelebrated by several priests. Following the liturgy, Cardinal Pizzaballa met with parishioners to listen firsthand to their experiences. Fr. Amer spoke openly about the deep suffering endured by the local Christian community.

In his Message for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV emphasizes the important witness that migrants and refugees offer in a world affected by conflict and inequality in hoping and searching for a better and more peaceful future.

By Isabella H. de Carvalho

Pope Leo XIV highlights how migrants and refugees are witnesses of hope and tenacity amidst adversity and calls for a future of peace and respect for human dignity, in his Message for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, released on Friday, July 25.

Luke 11:1-13

When the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray (“Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” - Lk 11:1), Jesus does not simply respond by handing them the Lord’s Prayer. His answer is an articulated response, like a journey that unfolds in three moments. 

And that is the first element we can appreciate in this passage from today’s Gospel (Lk 11:1-13). For prayer is not simply a formula, but a path, a journey. 

And it is also a challenging and complex path: the parable of the importunate friend (Lk 11:5-8) as well as the words that follow (Lk 11:9-13) are words that are not easy to understand, to say precisely that prayer is not something automatic, but a path that must be patiently traveled…

At a press conference in the Vatican, His Eminence Archbishop Rino Fisichella explains how the Jubilee of Youth will offer “an embrace from all young people worldwide” to those living in war zones.

By Kielce Gussie

The Jubilee of Influencers and the Jubilee of Youth are next on the agenda for the events in the Jubilee Year of Hope. Ahead of the events taking place from 28 July – 3 August, His Eminence Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, highlighted the multicultural and diverse events that will make up this Jubilee.

Young people from all over the world are scheduled to arrive in the Eternal City to participate in what the Archbishop described as "probably the most anticipated moment" of the year.

Before leaving Castel Gandolfo this evening, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV stopped to talk to some journalists, and answered some questions on international current affairs.

By Vatican News

“We must encourage everyone to leave weapons behind, and to leave behind the money-making that is behind every war.’

Those were the Pope’s words to journalists as he left his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo this evening, after spending 16 days there, and returned to the Vatican. Pope Leo, who returned shortly before 9pm, spoke with reporters who were awaiting his departure and answered their questions.

His Excellency President of the Lebanese Republic Joseph Aoun received Reverend Joseph Kassab, Head of the Evangelical Community in Syria and Lebanon, and Memeber of the Executive Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the Presidential Palace.

During the meeting, President Aoun described the current situation as both critical and sensitive, stressing the need for national awareness and unified stands to preserve Lebanon’s unity—its land and its people—and to safeguard its sovereignty and independence.

His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa,
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

Greetings of affection and esteem,

I extend to you, and to all our people in Gaza and throughout Palestine, my heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy for the death and injury of several members of your parish in the aggressive bombing that targeted the Holy Family Latin Church in Gaza. This is the same church that has offered significant humanitarian and relief support to members of the community—both Muslims and Christians—including the provision of aid, sheltering hundreds of displaced individuals who lost their homes, and supplying as much food and emergency medical care as possible in cooperation with medical teams from associations and hospitals such as Caritas and others…

Statement by His Beatitude Theophilos III, The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem
Delivered at the Opening of the Press Conference on the Pastoral Visit to Gaza

Jerusalem – July 22, 2025 

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, 

Esteemed members of the press, 

Peace be upon you all, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—He who “walked among the sick and the sorrowful,” and who taught us that “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). 

We gather today with hearts burdened by sorrow, yet steadfast in faith, following our pastoral mission to Gaza, a land bruised by prolonged affliction and pierced by the cries of its people. Together with His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and in the company of devoted clergy, we entered as servants of the suffering Body of Christ, walking among the wounded, the bereaved, the displaced, and the faithful whose dignity remains unbroken despite their agony. 

There, we encountered a people crushed by the weight of war, yet carrying within them the image of God. Among the broken walls of the Church of the Holy Family and the wounded hearts of its faithful, we witnessed both profound grief and unyielding hope. We knelt in prayer beside the afflicted and laid our hands upon those yearning for comfort, guided by the words of Saint Paul: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2)… 

Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

Opening statement of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa 
Patriarch of Jerusalem for the Latins 

at the Joint Press Conference 
Notre Dame of Jerusalem Centre 

 22 July 2025 

“We are sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.”

(2 Corinthians 6,10) 

Dear brothers and sisters,

Patriarch Theophilos III and myself, have returned from Gaza with broken hearts. But also encouraged by the testimony of many people we met. 

We entered a place of devastation, but also of wonderful humanity. We walked through the dust of ruins, past collapsed buildings and tents everywhere: in courtyards, alleyways, on the streets and on the beach — tents that have become homes for those who have lost everything. We stood among families who have lost count of the days of exile because they see no horizon for a return. Children talked and played without batting an eyelid —they were already used to the noise of the bombing. 

And yet, in the midst of all this, we encountered something deeper than the destruction: the dignity of the human spirit that refuses to be extinguished. We met mothers preparing food for others, nurses treating wounds with gentleness, and people of all faiths still praying to the God who sees and never forgets… 

Jerusalem, July 22, 2025 - The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem held a joint press conference, highlighting the historic pastoral visit of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, The Patriarch of Jerusalem. Together, they carried a message of consolation and hope to a grieving people, and a cry of conscience to a silent world.

A Moving Depiction of a Tragic Reality

The conference opened with a video prepared by the Latin Patriarchate’s Media Office, featuring real scenes from Gaza that illustrated the severe humanitarian suffering and the vast destruction left by the war. Special focus was given to the Holy Family Latin Parish, which has become a refuge for dozens of displaced families—Christians and Muslims alike.

Damascus, July 19, 2025

For days now, before the eyes of the entire world, violence has been afflicting our people in Swayda. For days, attempts at resolution and calming the situation have been ongoing, to no avail. What is happening in Suwayda disgraces humanity.

Since the outbreak of the recent events, Patriarch JOHN X has been closely monitoring the situation on the ground through direct and continuous communication with Metropolitan Antonios Saad, Archbishop of Bosra, Hauran, and Jabal al-Arab. His Beatitude is also following the situation through contacts with all local authorities and communities in the area and its surroundings, foremost among them the Sheikh al-Aql of the Druze community in Lebanon.

On July 20, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches celebrated the Holy Qurobo and the Funeral Service of the Thrice Blessed Archbishop Mor Gregorius Saliba Shemoun, at the Lady of the Light Cathedral in Erbil.

The Holy Synod of Jerusalem was convened at the Patriarchate in Jerusalem on Monday, July 21, 2025 (West), in its session chaired by His Beatitude Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and All Palestine and Jordan, in the presence of the honorable members of the Holy Synod. His Beatitude discussed with the members of the Holy Synod several issues pertaining to the Patriarchate’s administrative, ecclesiastical, and pastoral affairs, which serve the Patriarchate, its monasteries, shrines, churches, clergy, and people.

Amid the ruins of war and the pain of long days, the Holy Family Latin Parish in Gaza continues to stand firm—offering a living witness to faith and Christian resilience. The presence of their shepherd among them became a source of comfort and strength, as on the morning of Friday, July 18, 2025, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and His Beatitude Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, paid a joint solidarity visit to Gaza at the head of an Ecclesial delegation, bearing a message of pastoral communion from the Churches of the Holy Land and reaffirming their spiritual and human closeness to the people of Gaza.

Cardinal Pizzaballa has long been committed to visiting the Holy Family Parish in Gaza twice a year. Yet this most recent visit became, in itself, a miracle and a door of hope amid the ongoing conflict. The Cardinal remained with the parish community for three days, during which he closely followed their spiritual and material needs and worked earnestly to address them. He listened with deep paternal compassion to the stories and concerns of his parishioners.

Dear brothers and Sisters, 

I am happy to be again among you in these tragic days. It was important to be here with Patriarch Theophilos, to show the unity of the Church and the solidarity of all the Churches in the world with you. The other Churches of Jerusalem are a bit jealous of Patriarch Theophilos and me, because they all wanted to be here. This is to say that everyone is present here with you in spirit and ready to support. Allow me to reiterate again that we as Christians, don’t think only about Christians. Our heart is open to all. It is important to stress that. We are thankful for all what we have been able to do for you here, but we are also concerned for all what is happening in all Gaza. 

You are not forgotten. You are in the hearts of all Churches and Christians of the world. When I get back to Jerusalem, I can assure you that we will do all what is possible to stop this senseless war. We will work on it, and in the end, we will succeed. 

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has called His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa as the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem enters Gaza to visit the Holy Family Catholic Church after the Israeli strike that killed 3 people and injured several others taking refuge there.

By Devin Watkins

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, made a visit on Friday to the only Catholic parish in Gaza, along with His Beatitude Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem.

"So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house". (Luke 1:23)

With hearts that find solace in the Lord’s victory over death and in the promise of resurrection and eternal life, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church, announces the passing of His Eminence Mor Gregorios Saliba Shamoun, Patriarchal Advisor, who departed this life on Friday, July 18, 2025, having completed his days of service with faithfulness and love.

Jerusalem – July 18, 2025

His Beatitude Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem and honorary President of the Middel East Council of Churches, and His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem, commenced this morning a pastoral and humanitarian visit to the Gaza Strip, accompanied by a high-ranking Christian delegation. The visit aims to closely follow the condition of their faithful, who have been enduring a relentless humanitarian catastrophe for over twenty-one months, and to directly oversee the relief efforts provided by the churches to support the steadfastness of those in Gaza who have lost their homes, safety, and access to medicine. This visit stands as a living embodiment of the unity of the Church in the face of the deepening human suffering in the Strip.

His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem, is likewise undertaking a visit to Gaza, joining his brother in Christ, Patriarch Theophilos III, in a powerful expression of ecclesial unity and fraternal solidarity in the face of the deepening human suffering in the Strip.