Gaza

The people in Gaza, particularly the children, must have access to food; they must not go without in this time of war. Their portions must not be detoured or withheld.

Despite daunting odds, Catholic Relief Services and its on-the-ground partners have managed to deliver aid to 1.7 million people in Gaza since 2023, according to new data.

Since his return to Gaza City’s Holy Family Parish in May, Father Gabriel Romanelli has been working to organize educational and pastoral activities for the parish youth who have been out of their classrooms since the Oct. 7 Hamas onslaught against southern Israeli communities and a retaliatory war that has raged for over nine months.

Seven staff members of World Central Kitchen died April 1 when their three-vehicle convoy was hit in an Israeli air attack. Catholic aid workers in Gaza are determined to continue their mission after that deadly strike.

“In these hours of anguish,” members of the synod unite with Pope Francis in praying for peace in every nation of the Middle East and in every country at war.

Most of the Gaza population is made of youth, and most of them have never been involved in violent acts. But they pay the price of trauma for violence between Israel and Palestine over the years. Father Gabriel Romanelli, who serves Gaza Holy Family Parish, is on a mission to change it.

In the spotlight: migrant tragedy, soccer priest, California drought, Nepal floods

A day that started with heavy hearts visiting homes damaged in May violence between Hamas and Israel ended in a celebration of faith, love and family.