The region is called the Holy Land not because of its relationship to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam but as a place of ...

Friar Francesco Patton, the outgoing Franciscan custos of the Holy Land, reflected on his nine years in office and proposed a path to achieving peace in the face of war in the region. He also noted ...

Franciscan Father Francesco Patton’s nine-year tenure as custos of the Holy Land began unexpectedly in 2016 when he found himself “redirected” — as he put it — to a largely unfamiliar land while ...

While Bethlehem is not directly involved in the conflict, it continues to suffer under the weight of economic crisis, violence from Israeli settlers, and emigration. Children welcome the custos of the ...

Franciscan Father Francesco Ielpo assumes his new role at an extremely complex moment, both regionally and spiritually. Franciscan Father Francesco Ielpo, on June 24, 2025, was appointed the new ...