Christianity – War Watch

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The pope’s African tour shows the continent is vital to the future of Catholicism
ByNesrine Malik April 29, 2026

Amid the US far right’s hijacking of Christianity and his very public row with Trump, Pope Leo XIV’s visit is symbolic of the ‘growing centrality of Africa and its Black diaspora’• Don’t get The Long Wave delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereAlmost a y…

Read More The pope’s African tour shows the continent is vital to the future of Catholicism
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Christianity | Donald Trump | Far right (US) | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Pete Hegseth | Petrol prices | Religion | Trump administration | US news | US politics | US-Israel war on Iran

Pete Hegseth’s Iran war messaging echoes sermons from his extremist church
ByJason Wilson April 26, 2026

US defense secretary’s openly Christian nationalist church continues to have growing influence in the White HouseOn 17 April, at a briefing on the Iran war, secretary of defense Pete Hegseth told reporters he had been “sitting in church with my family”…

Read More Pete Hegseth’s Iran war messaging echoes sermons from his extremist church
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Christianity | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Middle East and north Africa | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Religion

Two Israeli soldiers jailed over smashing of Jesus statue in Lebanon village
ByLorenzo Tondo April 21, 2026

Israel Defense Forces say the ‘soldiers’ conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and value’Two Israeli soldiers have been removed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days in jail after one used a sledgehammer to smash a statue of Jesus in southern…

Read More Two Israeli soldiers jailed over smashing of Jesus statue in Lebanon village
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Israeli army to launch criminal investigation after soldier strikes Jesus statue in Lebanon
ByAgence France-Presse in Jerusalem April 20, 2026April 20, 2026

Netanyahu says ‘harsh disciplinary action’ will be taken after IDF confirms sledgehammer photo is authenticMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe Israeli military is conducting a criminal investigation after a soldier was photographed striking a Catholic…

Read More Israeli army to launch criminal investigation after soldier strikes Jesus statue in Lebanon
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Pope Leo visits Algeria in sign of Africa’s growing importance to Catholic church
ByAamna Mohdin April 13, 2026

Pontiff makes first papal visit to country as he starts 11-day tour that will also include stops in Cameroon and AngolaPope Leo XIV has arrived in Algeria for the first papal visit to the country, calling for peace on the opening stop of a tour of Afri…

Read More Pope Leo visits Algeria in sign of Africa’s growing importance to Catholic church
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A strategy ‘to make life intolerable’: Israeli settlers are driving Christians out of West Bank
ByJulian Borger in Taybeh April 5, 2026

The Taybeh community has survived crusaders and the Ottoman and British empires, but the latest attacks leave its future in questionTaybeh, a small hilltop town in the heart of the West Bank is one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. Afte…

Read More A strategy ‘to make life intolerable’: Israeli settlers are driving Christians out of West Bank
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Iran conflict to forefront of UK religious and political leaders’ Easter messages
BySammy Gecsoyler April 4, 2026

Archbishop of Canterbury to issue urgent call for peace, as PM exhorts Britons to ‘choose community over division’Religious and political leaders in the UK are highlighting the conflict in the Middle East in their Easter messages, calling for “peace, j…

Read More Iran conflict to forefront of UK religious and political leaders’ Easter messages
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Britain must uphold its obligations to protect Palestinians | Letter
ByGuardian staff February 1, 2026

Three Anglican bishops urge the government to publish its response to the international court of justice’s 2024 advisory opinion on Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territoriesHaving returned from another visit to Palestine, we are incredulous that t…

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Why Bethlehem is celebrating Christmas again – podcast
By December 23, 2025

Pastor Munther Isaac talks about his hometown of Bethlehem – the scene of the nativity – celebrating Christmas for the first time in three yearsThis December, for the first time in three years, Bethlehem turned on its Christmas lights.For the place in …

Read More Why Bethlehem is celebrating Christmas again – podcast
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Pope Leo tells Lebanese leaders ‘peace is a desire and a vocation’ – video
ByMiddle East and north Africa | The Guardian November 30, 2025

Pope Leo XIV delivered a speech in Lebanon on Sunday where he repeated his call for representatives to do their part to help achieve peace in the region. Speaking in a room with several senior government and religious figures, the pope praised the Leba…

Read More Pope Leo tells Lebanese leaders ‘peace is a desire and a vocation’ – video