Christians and Christianity – War Watch

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Zero Hour for the Middle East
ByRoger Cohen, David Guttenfelder, Saher Alghorra, Daniel Berehulak and Nanna Heitmann December 28, 2025December 28, 2025

After more than a decade of wars, from Syria to Gaza, the Middle East is exhausted by conflict. Is it ready to find another way?

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Christians and Christianity | Christmas | Holidays and Special Occasions | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Santa Claus | vis-photo

Christmas Around the World in Photos
ByThe New York Times December 25, 2025December 30, 2025

The holiday spirit is bringing people together, with celebrations of lights, dance and Santa.

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Bethlehem (West Bank) | Christians and Christianity | Christmas | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Israeli Settlements | Palestinians | Ramallah (West Bank) | West Bank

Christmas Is Back in Bethlehem, but Peace and Joy Have Yet to Arrive
ByFatima AbdulKarim December 22, 2025December 22, 2025

Palestinian Christians are reviving their seasonal public celebrations, hoping to bring light and holiday spirit at the end of a gloomy year in the West Bank.

Read More Christmas Is Back in Bethlehem, but Peace and Joy Have Yet to Arrive
Aoun, Joseph (1964- ) | Beirut (Lebanon) | Beirut, Lebanon, Explosions (2020) | Christians and Christianity | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Popes | Roman Catholic Church | Turkey

Lebanon’s Christians Look to Pope Leo’s Visit for a Message of Hope and Peace
ByChristina Goldbaum November 30, 2025

The pontiff is set to meet political leaders and say Mass at a Beirut port destroyed by an explosion five years ago. It is the first papal visit to Lebanon since 2012.

Read More Lebanon’s Christians Look to Pope Leo’s Visit for a Message of Hope and Peace
Aoun, Joseph (1964- ) | Beirut (Lebanon) | Beirut, Lebanon, Explosions (2020) | Christians and Christianity | Hezbollah | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Popes | Roman Catholic Church | Turkey

Lebanon’s Christians Look to Pope Leo’s Visit for a Message of Hope and Peace
ByChristina Goldbaum November 30, 2025December 1, 2025

The pontiff met political leaders upon his arrival on Sunday and will later say Mass at a Beirut port destroyed by an explosion five years ago.

Read More Lebanon’s Christians Look to Pope Leo’s Visit for a Message of Hope and Peace
Bartholomew I | Christians and Christianity | Eastern Orthodox Church | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Politics and Government | Popes | Roman Catholic Church | Turkey

In Turkey, Pope Seeks to Soothe an Ancient Christian Divide
ByBen Hubbard November 28, 2025November 28, 2025

In Istanbul, Pope Leo XIV will meet the patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church to show amity between two of the world’s largest Christian groups.

Read More In Turkey, Pope Seeks to Soothe an Ancient Christian Divide
Christians and Christianity | Erdogan, Recep Tayyip | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Muslims and Islam | Roman Catholic Church | Turkey

Pope Leo Lands in Turkey, Planning to Meet Erdogan With a Message of Outreach
ByBen Hubbard and Motoko Rich November 27, 2025December 1, 2025

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Leo XIV on the opening leg of a trip that will also include Lebanon.

Read More Pope Leo Lands in Turkey, Planning to Meet Erdogan With a Message of Outreach
Christians and Christianity | Francis | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Roman Catholic Church | Turkey

Heading to the Mideast, Pope Leo May Show ‘Who He Really Is’
ByMotoko Rich November 27, 2025November 27, 2025

The pontiff begins a trip to Turkey and Lebanon on Thursday — the first foreign voyage of his papacy, and his biggest test yet.

Read More Heading to the Mideast, Pope Leo May Show ‘Who He Really Is’
Christians and Christianity | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Middle East | Roman Catholic Church | Turkey

Pope Leo to Visit Turkey and Lebanon
ByMotoko Rich November 26, 2025November 30, 2025

The pope chose a region rife with religious divisions and conflict for his first trip abroad. He arrived in Lebanon on Sunday after a few days in Turkey.

Read More Pope Leo to Visit Turkey and Lebanon
Christians and Christianity | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Lebanon | Leo XIV | Middle East | Popes | Roman Catholic Church | War and Armed Conflicts

Pope Leo to Visit Lebanon and Turkey
ByElisabetta Povoledo October 7, 2025

The choice signals that Pope Leo XIV aims to press for peace in the Middle East and show support for Christians in the region.

Read More Pope Leo to Visit Lebanon and Turkey