Nazareth and Tel Aviv: Christians of Faith, Firm in Hope and United in Charity!
July 02, 2025
After experiencing moments of great uncertainty, life is slowly resuming its rhythm. The voices of local Christians who lived through the bombings help us understand how essential community life and communion among brothers and sisters truly are.
Upcoming Events
Jordan – Our Lady of the Mountain
June 24, 2025
In the mountains of Jordan, in Anjara, stands the Shrine of Our Lady of the Mountain—one of the most venerated Marian sites in the Middle East.
Catholic Action: a Franciscan reality built on service and free giving.
June 23, 2025
For over seventy years, the Catholic Action Foundation of Bethlehem, affiliated with the Custody of the Holy Land, has carried out its mission in service to humanity. On June 12, Fr. Sandro Tomasevic officially reopened the orchards and gardens of Catholic Action, turning it into the largest social, cultural, and recreational hub in Bethlehem.
Custos of the Holy Land – The Appeal to Pray for Peace
June 18, 2025
In a time marked by tension and war, the Custos of the Holy Land, Br Francesco Patton, makes a heartfelt appeal: an invitation to prayer for peace, addressed to the entire world.
Terra Santa Schools: Dreams of Peace!
July 02, 2025
The graduation ceremonies of students from the Terra Sancta Schools in Jerusalem—a joyful moment filled with dances, songs, and dreams of peace.
On the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, a Prayer for Reconciliation and Peace
July 01, 2025
On July 1, the Custody of the Holy Land celebrated the feast of the "Most Precious Blood of Christ" in the church of Gethsemane in Jerusalem.
Friars Minor, Servants of the Most High: Ordinations in Jerusalem
June 30, 2025
On June 29, in the Church of Saint Saviour in Jerusalem, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa ordained three new priests for the Custody of the Holy Land.
Terra Santa News 27/06/ 2025
June 26, 2025
The feast of Saint John the Baptist in Ein Karem; the appointment of the new Custos of the Holy Land, Fr Francesco Ielpo; reactions to the massacre in the Orthodox Church of Saint Elijah in Damascus; the celebration of Our Lady of the Mountain in Anjara, Jordan; and finally, the reopening of the orchards and gardens of Catholic Action in Bethlehem.
Terrorist Attack in the Church of Saint Elijah in Damascus
June 26, 2025
On June 22, twenty-five Christians were killed inside the Church of Saint Elijah, in the Dweila’a neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, during a liturgical celebration that turned into a massacre. A suicide bomber affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) blew himself up among the faithful, in one of the most atrocious attacks against Christians in Syria in recent years.
John the Baptist – For a Humanity Reconciled on the Path of Peace!
June 24, 2025
The Solemnity of Saint John the Baptist was celebrated in Ein Karem, near Jerusalem.
Jordan – Our Lady of the Mountain
June 24, 2025
In the mountains of Jordan, in Anjara, stands the Shrine of Our Lady of the Mountain—one of the most venerated Marian sites in the Middle East.
Fr Francesco Ielpo – New Custos of the Holy Land and Guardian of Mount Zion
June 24, 2025
On June 24, the Holy Father confirmed the election of Fr Francesco Ielpo as Custos of the Holy Land and Guardian of Mount Zion.
Catholic Action: a Franciscan reality built on service and free giving.
June 23, 2025
For over seventy years, the Catholic Action Foundation of Bethlehem, affiliated with the Custody of the Holy Land, has carried out its mission in service to humanity. On June 12, Fr. Sandro Tomasevic officially reopened the orchards and gardens of Catholic Action, turning it into the largest social, cultural, and recreational hub in Bethlehem.
Terra Santa News 20/06/2025
June 19, 2025
The Custos of the Holy Land’s appeal to prayer; the celebration of Corpus Christi at the Holy Sepulcher; twenty years of Hogar Niño Dios in Bethlehem; the conference marking 60 years since the Nostra Aetate Declaration at the Open University of Israel; and finally, the secrets beneath the Old City walls in the Cave of Zedekiah.
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ at the Holy Sepulcher
June 19, 2025
In a spirit of simplicity and recollection, due to the ongoing conflict, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ was celebrated at the Holy Sepulcher. The liturgies, led by the Custody of the Holy Land, involved a small group of faithful and religious sisters, with the Mass presided over by Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
Nostra Aetate: Sixty Years Later – The Legacy of Jewish-Christian Dialogue
June 17, 2025
At the Open University of Israel, an international conference marked the 60th anniversary of the Declaration Nostra Aetate, which opened the Catholic Church to dialogue with non-Christian religions. Central to the event was the relationship with Judaism and the challenges of interreligious dialogue today.
Custos of the Holy Land – The Appeal to Pray for Peace
June 18, 2025
In a time marked by tension and war, the Custos of the Holy Land, Br Francesco Patton, makes a heartfelt appeal: an invitation to prayer for peace, addressed to the entire world.
Hogar Niños Dios: Twenty Years of a Message of Love and Mercy
June 17, 2025
The Institute of the Incarnate Word and the Parish of Bethlehem celebrated the 20th anniversary of the founding of Hogar Niños Dios, a place of welcome and support for people with disabilities—among the most vulnerable groups in society.
The Cave of King Zedekiah: Secrets Beneath the Walls
June 16, 2025
The Cave of Zedekiah lies about 100 meters from Damascus Gate. Once a quarry, it was used for the construction of the Second Temple and possibly even the First. It tells the story of the king’s escape and tragic end and holds many secrets—some revealed, others still hidden.
Terra Santa News 13/06/2025
June 12, 2025
The Pentecost celebrations in Jerusalem; the Jubilee of Hope for Families at the Shrine of Our Lady Queen of Palestine; the inauguration of the “Pentecost Room” at the Notre Dame Institute in the Holy City; the Osama Hamdan Cultural Center in Bethany; and finally, the training course for the Italian Commissaries of the Holy Land.
In the Promised Land as in a Foreign Land!
June 11, 2025
“In the promised land as in a foreign land” is the theme of the training and refresher course for spiritual guides of pilgrims in the Holy Land. A unique experience in the heart of Christianity.
The Osama Hamdan Cultural Center for the Preservation of the Religious Heritage of the Holy Land
June 11, 2025
The Osama Hamdan Cultural Center, located in the city of Bethany (“Al-Eizariya”), east of Jerusalem, marks a milestone in Palestinian efforts to safeguard the cultural and religious heritage of the Holy Land. Named after the late architect Osama Hamdan, the center honors his extraordinary contributions to archaeological restoration—particularly at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Tomb of Lazarus site, and other historic places in the West Bank.
In Jerusalem: The Pentecost Experience in an Upper Room!
June 06, 2025
On June 7, the “Pentecost Room” was inaugurated at the Pontifical Institute Notre Dame of Jerusalem. Created by Chilean artist Daniel Cariola, the work was presented in an exclusive interview with the Christian Media Center, where the artist shared details about this creation.
There Is No Unity in Our Families Without Jesus
June 10, 2025
At the Shrine of the Monastery of Our Lady of Palestine in Deir Rafat, a Mass was celebrated for the Jubilee of Hope for Families. The Eucharist was presided over by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
Pentecost in Jerusalem
June 09, 2025
Over two days, several celebrations for the Solemnity of Pentecost took place in Jerusalem.
Terra Santa News 06/06/2025
June 04, 2025
The feast at the Marian Shrine of the Visitation; the story of Armenian ceramics in Jerusalem; the interreligious prayer at the Tower of David; and finally, the restoration works and archaeological research at the Holy Sepulcher.
The Secrets of Ceramic Signs in Jerusalem’s Old City
June 03, 2025
The ceramic signs in the Old City of Jerusalem reveal the secrets of a craft practiced by an Armenian family for over a century.
The Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross
May 08, 2025
In Jerusalem, the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross was celebrated at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher.
We journey through time towards Easter everlasting
April 19, 2025
Easter Message 2025 by Fr. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land
Documentaries
MOUNT NEBO. A Look at the Promised Land
March 28, 2025
Discover Mount Nebo, the holy place from which Moses contemplated the Promised Land. Accompanied by Brother Eugenio Alliata, ofm of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, we will discover the biblical texts that speak of this holy place and the memorial dedicated to Moses.
St Catherine's Church - liturgy, devotion and pious exercises
December 09, 2024
The daily procession of Bethlehem in its simplicity, in its beauty, is a school of faith. It is an appointment, it is a catechesis that accompanies you little by little through this journey. Through the various stages in contemplation, in meditation and thus in an ever more conscious growth in the mystery of God made man.
The importance of Bethlehem for the Universal Church
December 09, 2024
In the second episode of the Bethlehem Special, Father Carlo Giuseppe talks about the importance of Bethlehem for the Church as one of the main places in salvation history.
Towards Christmas: know Bethlehem to love Him more!
December 02, 2024
This month we will take a spiritual journey, guided by Father Carlo Giuseppe Adesso of the Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro and lecturer in Church History, to get to know some special features of the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Come with us on this adventure!
Cipro IV- Nicosia: A day with the Bishop of Cyprus
July 30, 2024
A Sunday in the Latin parish of Holy Cross in Nicosia. The beauty of cultural diversity is united in one faith in Christ.
Custody of the Holy Land
The Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross
May 08, 2025
In Jerusalem, the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross was celebrated at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher.
Mount Nebo: a community in prayer for peace
November 07, 2023
From the shrines of the Custody of the Holy Land, prayers for peace rise unceasingly. Even from Mount Nebo in Jordan, where life continues, the Franciscan community does not forget the difficult time the Holy Land is experiencing.
Giovanna Repellini and the Architect of the Holy Land: The Basilica of the Transfiguration
October 30, 2023
In the centennial year of the Tabor and Gethsemane basilicas, architect and writer Giovanna Repellini introduces us to Antonio Barluzzi.
From Italy an orchestra for Rhodes
October 24, 2023
For the first time an Italian orchestra lands in Rhodes, Greece, and for the first time a concert for organ and orchestra and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's musical and spiritual masterpiece, the Stabat Mater, is performed on the island.
From the Holy Sepulcher in prayer for peace
October 10, 2023
The Franciscan community of the Holy Sepulcher, every day in procession retraces, inside the Basilica, the places of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection. These days, in particular, prayers are said for peace in the Holy Land and throughout the world.
