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Holy Days in the Crossfire: Jerusalem’s Passover and Easter Fall Silent

  The faithful attend a Palm Sunday mass at the Monastery of Saint Saviour in Jerusalem's Old City on March 29, 2026. | Jerusalem is entering what should be one of its most vibrant seasons under an unusually heavy pall, as the ongoing Iran war forces the city’s sacred spaces into lockdown and its residents into a subdued observance of Passover and Easter.  Major holy sites across the Old City—normally alive with worshippers, pilgrims, and tourists—now sit shuttered behind metal doors. The narrow stone alleyways echo with only the occasional footsteps, a stark contrast to the typical spring surge of visitors celebrating the Jewish and Christian holidays. Families, exhausted by weeks of conflict, face a season traditionally marked by renewal with a sense of fatigue and uncertainty.  The war’s reach has been felt even in areas historically spared from direct attack. Intercepted Iranian missiles have scattered shrapnel near the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and along the roa...

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World Leaders Gather in Rome to Honor Pope Francis

Rome is witessing an extraordinary convergence of global leaders and dignitaries as they arrive to pay their respects to Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88. Among the prominent figures attending the funeral are former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The funeral, set to take place in St. Peter's Square, marks the culmination of a week of mourning for the beloved pontiff.

Pope Francis, known for his humility and dedication to the marginalized, has drawn tens of thousands of mourners to St. Peter's Basilica, where his body lay in state. The Vatican has confirmed the attendance of 130 delegations, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs, reflecting the global impact of his leadership.

The ceremony will also feature a poignant moment as a group of poor and needy individuals, in line with Francis' values, will pay homage to his coffin. As the world bids farewell to a transformative figure, the conclave to elect his successor is set to begin in early May.



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