The News You May Have Missed: March 2025

Catholic Presence in the Holy Land

Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, presided over the consecration of a new Catholic church on the banks of the Jordan River, the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus (OSV News, Jan. 10). Cardinal Parolin celebrated Mass at the Church of the Baptism of the Lord at Al-Maghtas, anointing and dedicating the altar, in which relics of Pope St. John Paul II and the recently canonized Holy Martyrs of Damascus and others were placed. Cardinal Parolin, representing Pope Francis, thanked King Abdullah II of Jordan and his Hashemite royal household, who donated the land. The Hungarian government was also a significant donor. The sprawling complex includes a church-shrine, two monasteries for friars and nuns, gardens, a visitor center, and the Hill of the Cross, which offers views of the Jerusalem Mountains. UNESCO designated Al-Maghtas, known in the Bible as “Bethany beyond the Jordan,” a World Heritage Site in 2015. This newest church joins other historic churches in the Holy Land: the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

War of Words

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations has called on the Pope to “refrain from making incendiary comments” regarding Israel’s “defensive war against Hamas.” Francis, who frequently calls for peace and decries the targeting of civilians, said in December, “The [Latin] patriarch [of Jerusalem] was not allowed into Gaza, as had been promised; and yesterday children were bombed. This is cruelty. This is not war.” Though the CPMAJO said it shares the Pope’s “concern for the suffering of innocent civilians and desire to spread peace and compassion around the world,” it claims his statements “only serve to distort Israel’s legitimate military campaign and fuel antisemitism and unjust targeting of the Jewish state.” This is not the first time a Catholic leader’s statements regarding Israel’s military action have drawn criticism. Last June, Israel’s embassy to the Holy See blasted a statement by Catholic leaders in the Holy Land suggesting that Israel’s ongoing campaign in Gaza is not a “just war” (Catholic News Agency, Jan. 10).

Dial “A” for Anxiety

British members of Gen Z have expressed anxiety over making and receiving phone calls. So Nottingham College is offering coaching sessions on phone confidence and etiquette to Zoomers grappling with “telephonophobia” (New York Post, Jan. 7). Folks under age 27 are more inclined to communicate via text or social-media apps than engage in voice-to-voice conversations, especially regarding work-related concerns or matters of the heart. Their aversion is so intense that breaking off romantic relationships with a text is common. Nottingham’s coaches walk Zoomers through a variety of exercises, such as role-play activities and job-interview questions and answers. Rookies are encouraged to call restaurants to ask what time they open, or shops to ask if a certain item is in stock. Donna, 16, feels anxiety because “if there’s a phone call I always think it’s an emergency…. The only people I’ll call are my mum or my dad. But anyone else, I don’t want them to call me.” Kyle Butterworth, 28, offered encouragement to his peers: “Make yourself in charge of the situation. Know what you’re going to say before you start the call.”